How to stay healthy and stress-free during this Pandemic?

This Covid Pandemic has remodelled people’s lives in both large and small ways. Since the beginning of 2020, for over a year now, the world has been battling with a pandemic any semblance of which has  only here and there been recorded ever. Towards the end of 2020, it appeared like the battle was about to be won but recently we have come in the grips of  the second wave of Covid-19 it has panicked virologists and the healthcare sector in India and across the world. According to the situation the government advises people to self-quarantine themselves  and try to avoid going outside the home during this self-lockdown.

Being sequestered in tiny spaces with limited human contact and physical activity, can also cause mental challenges and further  stress to citizens. For these reasons, your focus should be on physical activity and relaxation techniques, all these can be valuable tools to help you remain calm and continue to protect your health during this time. Below are some steps to keep your lifestyle healthy and anxiety-free:

For optimal health– It is very essential to eat healthily and stay hydrated. WHO advises drinking water rather than any sugar-sweetened beverages. It is recommended to limit or avoid alcohol for adults and strictly avoid this in young people, pregnant and breastfeeding women, or other health reasons. Ensure fruits and vegetables, and limit the consumption of salt, sugar and fat. Advisable to prefer whole grains foods rather than refined ones.

Try to keep yourself busy:  Nowadays it is a good time to explore your hobbies – or find some new ones. Start reading that book you’ve been putting off for a long time, start that journal you’ve always wanted to do, this keeps your mind active and can be beneficial for positive mental health.

Get enough sleep– Try to maintain a regular bedtime and avoid the temptation of lying in bed for ages in the morning or during the day. Avoid having caffeine or alcohol late at night and free some time to wind down at the end of the day.

Stay in touch with friends and family– This Pandemic time many of us are unable to see friends and loved ones face-to-face at the moment but we can still keep in touch. Speaking to the people whom you loved talking and you care about can give you (and them) a mental boost.

Keep in mind that it is okay to not be okay and it is okay to seek help. When we stop asking for help, we put our own health and sanity at risk. We need each other to survive and thrive. 

With some simple changes to your lifestyle, like getting enough sleep, eating well, exercising, and keeping in touch with people, you can refresh your mood and can stay healthy. 

Benefits of some simple changes in our lifestyle:

• Stress and anxiety relief: Stress and anxiety are increasing with the current pandemic, which causes a lower immune response. Exercising releases chemicals such as serotonin and endorphins in your brain which can help improve your mood and reduce the risk of depression and cognitive decline, and prevent the onset of dementia.
• Immune support: Regular physical exercise can help your immune system to function well.
• Relax. Deep breaths and meditation can help your mind stay calm.
• Weight Loss. A healthy weight has plenty of benefits on its own, but we won’t  get into that here. One of the main purposes for people to eat a healthy diet is to maintain a healthy weight or to lose weight. 
• Boost mood and energy levels. “You are what you eat”. This phrase says if you eat a healthy, balanced diet, you will feel good and more energetic. Moreover, if you eat accurately, then your body is getting all of the nutrients it needs to function properly, which will boost your energy levels.

During these tough circumstances, your mental and physical health need a bit of support. So, we’ve gathered some ideas on how to stay healthy during the lockdown. Ideally, they can give you some motivation as the lockdown continues.

Remember, we isolate now so that when we gather again, no one is missing – Laura Mauldin

Stay Healthy, Stay Safe and beat Covid & the Lockdown!