When the pandemic started, the authorities issued shelter-in-place orders to prevent the spread of the virus. It also resulted in the closure of gyms and fitness centers across the country. While people still had the opportunity to exercise outside, many stayed home to avoid catching the virus.
The isolation caused many people to forego their regular exercise routines and others started eating junk food as a way of coping with the situation. While the sodium-filled snacks provided instant gratification, they also had a negative effect on people’s health.
Additionally, companies asked their employees to work from home to keep them safe from the virus. This resulted in fewer chances of physical activities since people did not need to walk from the parking lot to their office every day. This semi-sedentary shift may become the norm as many companies are allowing their employees to work from home until the middle or the end of 2021.
Staying home may protect people from the virus but they may still end up with poor health if they remain inactive while at home. Due to this, people should take steps to keep themselves fit and healthy even in the middle of a pandemic. Here are some things people can do to maintain good health during a health crisis.
Exercise
Since gyms and fitness centers have already opened, people can now exercise to keep themselves fit. But if they are not keen on exercising in enclosed spaces, they can also work out in their backyard. People can also perform basic exercises at home, like push-ups, sit-ups, and jumping jacks. They can also look for workout videos that they can follow at home to keep themselves physically active.
Another option is jogging around the neighborhood, but they have to wear a mask and avoid mingling with people who are not a part of their household. If the house is close to a park or nature reserve, hiking is a good option since these areas are relatively safe.
Healthy Diet
Aside from exercise, having a healthy diet is also important to stay fit during the pandemic. The pandemic and resulting isolation may have caused people to develop unhealthy eating habits. Some may even go through emotional eating because of the uncertainty of the situation. In these cases, these people may need to get a treatment plan for a binge eating disorder they developed during the pandemic.
While going through the treatment, they can try to focus on eating healthy. Instead of chips, they can go for fruits for their snacks. Carrot sticks are also good alternatives to tacos. Dark, leafy vegetables contain vitamins and minerals the body needs to remain healthy and fit. So, people should shift their eating habits to nutritious food rather than fast food and processed snacks.
Enough Sleep
Exercise and a good diet are great for the health. But rest is just as important since it allows the body to regenerate and strengthens the immune system. Sleep promotes the production of cytokines, which is a protein the targets inflammation and infection. It also allows the body to produce T-cells or white blood cells that have a major part in the immune response of the body against diseases.
Additionally, getting enough sleep reduces the risk of weight gain and heart disease. It also allows people to have better concentration and cognitive ability, which results in better productivity at work. People who get enough rest also have more energy and coordination. Their mental abilities also function better with enough sleep.
Take the Meds
For people who have maintenance medications, it’s important to take them as scheduled. It is also important for them to have a good supply of the medication. Once the supply is low, it’s important to order online as soon as possible so that they will not miss a day taking them.
Consulting their doctor is also important in case one of the medications is unavailable. This allows the doctor to prescribe a substitute or replacement for it. Additionally, they should not hesitate to call their doctor in case they feel any reactions to the substitute or replacement medications.
Stay in Touch
The isolation may cause anxiety and feelings of depression to emerge sooner or later. It can also cause people to feel melancholy. To prevent this, they can stay in touch with family and friends using a video-conferencing app like Zoom. This allows them to see their loved ones albeit virtually. The recent developments in technology have made it easier for people to stay connected even if they are staying in their respective homes.
Practicing good personal habits is important to keep people healthy and fit, especially in the middle of a health crisis.
