The coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak is upending people’s lives all over the world. As more and more people find themselves stuck at home for most of the day trying to juggle childcare and full-time work along with other competing responsibilities, ensuring the health and wellbeing of every member of the household can be yet another daily challenge. But as a matter of fact, staying healthy during the COVID-19 outbreak isn’t that different from staying healthy in general; it’s all about simple, consistent behaviors and healthy lifestyle choices.
Here’s how to easily stay healthy while social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Eat a Balanced Diet
Good nutrition plays a key role in supporting the immune system. This is why it’s crucial to have a plan before you stock up on groceries to ensure you purchase the right things and avoid panic-buying unnecessarily. Start by taking inventory of what’s already in your pantry, and only buy items that are missing. Plan your meals to consist of a starch, protein, and produce, and shop accordingly.
While most people nowadays are opting for grains and canned goods because of their long shelf life, you should try to buy fresh produce whenever you can, as they contain most of the vitamins and nutrients your body needs to fight off disease. If you’re worried about them going bad, cut them up and store them in the freezer. This way, you can use them for months to come. Try to limit highly processed foods, and if you do buy dried, frozen, or canned goods, choose those low in saturated fat, sodium, and added sugar.
We’re all guilty of binge-eating when we’re stressed or bored, which seems to happen frequently nowadays. Our best defense against this unhealthy habit is to try and channel those feelings elsewhere, whether by venting to a good friend, playing video games, or getting lost in a good book. It also won’t hurt to build up a stock of healthy snacks, such as nuts, dried or fresh fruits, and granola bars.
Boost Your Immune System with Dietary Supplements
Recent findings have confirmed the importance of certain dietary supplements in fighting off COVID-19. Those containing vitamins C and D, omega-3 fatty acids, and zinc, in particular, have proven to be the most effective when it comes to boosting immune functions. All these nutrients are found in various foods, but the problem is that we simply aren’t eating enough of them. This is why you should consider supplementing your diet with supplements that can provide the necessary dose of nutrients your body needs to resist infections.
Fortunately, you can order them from a trusted online pharmacy without having to leave the house. If you live in Canada, this directory will point you to safe and licensed pharmacies in your area. Regardless of where you live, it pays to do some research before buying supplements or prescription medications online to ensure you get them at the lowest price and from a trusted provider.
Stay Physically Active
You may not be able to go to the gym, but that’s not a good enough excuse for lethargy. Many gyms and fitness instructors offer online classes that you can follow at home. Plus, there are plenty of exercises that require no equipment like squats, lunges, push-ups, sit-ups, burpees, and mountain climbers, to name a few. You can also do some weight lifting using wine bottles or any heavy objects you have lying around the house. Feel free to get as creative as you want with what you already own.
Choose 5 exercises a day, do each for a minute, then repeat them 3-5 times. Really, any kind and amount of movement you can squeeze in during the day counts. Even everyday activities like walking, cleaning, and gardening can improve your overall health.
Get Enough Sleep
Getting enough sleep is crucial for just about every aspect of your mental and physical health. Sufficient quality sleep helps support healthy brain function, protect your mental wellbeing, maintain your physical health, boost your immune system, and improve your overall quality of life— all of which are crucial for fighting off the coronavirus.
As you can see, most health advice for staying healthy during the COVID-19 outbreak can be boiled down to simple, daily behaviors, like eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, and staying physically active. These behaviors are no different from the ones we should maintain throughout our lives, whether we’re facing a pandemic or not. Things can get a bit more complicated with social distancing, though, which is pretty understandable. But with the above tips along with a few precautions, proper hygiene, and some healthy ways to cope with stress, you’ll manage to stay healthy and calm during this pandemic.
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