Z. Johnson
Staying healthy can seem challenging for many of us during these times of uncertainty. Let’s face it! COVID-19 has caused a disruption in many areas of our lives, especially related to social communication and daily routine activities. Without doubt, staying at home has become the norm and the safest way to prevent this disease from spreading. However, it doesn’t have to be very overwhelming, if you have a plan to face being stuck at home. There are actually many advantages to stay at home. Today, I’m pointing out some of my best tips to stay healthy while being at home.
Embrace staying at home as an opportunity…
I know you may not be used to be at home often. The fact that you socialize less or miss out on important events like games, going to the movies, gathering with your friends, or even working out at the gym may seem like a pain. But, you know what? It’s time to see the positive side of things. Maybe you needed to slow down a bit and appreciate the things you have at home.
The fact that you wake up every day and are able to move is still a blessing! Did you realize that? Many people are ill or even confined to a bed in a health facility. Besides that, being at home can help you connect with your inner self and boost your creativity. As an entrepreneur who works from home, I can tell you that these are facts! Anyway, let’s see my top list of things that help to stay healthy while being at home.
1.Eat healthy
Eating healthy is crucial during these times. As a matter of fact, eating healthy should be part of your lifestyle, no matter what is going on. But, sometimes, we can fall into the trap of overeating due to many reasons. Fear, anxiety, uncertainty, social distancing, can trigger emotional eating. The good thing is, there are many ways to prevent it. And it has to do with more than willpower. Practicing intuitive eating is a very smart way to help you avoid overeating and keeping a healthy weight.
Feeling more cravings than usual? Well, as I mentioned, this could be due to more anxiety revolving the whole situation. But, also, cravings can come as a result of the way how we eat. If you are eating too many carbs, little fiber and just some protein to get you by, your body will crave more high caloric food than usual. In my previous blog, I mention how eating certain foods can help you reduce blood sugar spikes and cravings. Increasing the amount of fiber and protein, is a sure way to keep those cravings in check and help you feel full for longer.
Boosting your immune system
Having a strong immune system means staying healthy! Make sure that you focus on eating quality whole foods. Essentials that can’t miss in my fridge and pantry are: fruits, fresh vegetables, dairy products, whole grains, cereals and nuts, chicken, fish and lean meat, just to name some. In my previous blog about immune boosting foods, I share a list of the most important ones you should always keep close. Balanced healthy eating is a must to not gain unwanted weight!
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Meal prep
As always, meal prep is one of the best strategies you can do when looking to maintain a healthy weight, being healthy and stay within your budget. Now that you have more time at home, meal prepping should be easier for you. You can now take your time to make up a list of the essential foods you need, and do the necessary grocery shopping. Here, I also recommend you invest some time in planning your meals by creating your favorite dishes, not only for you but for your family. Take advantage and get creative! There is no excuse to get bored! Remember to also follow the rules of hygiene when it comes to meal prepping, cooking and storing food.
2.Drink tons of water
Staying hydrated is a must, not only for your vital needs, but because it will also help to boost your immune system. Not drinking enough water, besides causing dehydration, is another main reason why people crave more food. So, make sure you keep your gallon of water close to you and take those sips everytime you can!
3.Workout to stay healthy while being at home
If you are like me that loves going to the gym, this is the time to make a shift in your routine and start embracing at-home workouts. Yes! Working out at home is easy, convenient, and has a lot of other benefits. Nobody is watching you, so you have the chance to improve your moves as you progress everyday. Working out is a great way to stay healthy while being at home. It relieves stress, keeps you fit, increases your energy and boosts your immune system as well! You can watch youtube tutorials, look up some fitness influencers on IG, or simply download a fitness app like Nike Training Club. For other recommended apps, check here.
Pro tip: One thing about working out at home, is that you can easily adapt and perform your exercises with little to no equipment. And if you use them the right way, trust me, you’ll get results. I always use resistance bands when I workout at home. The ones I’m using for upper body, come in 3 resistance levels, and for lower body, I use the 3 level glute bands. I love these last ones because their material is so effective, they don’t slip and help to put more tension on your muscles. For my core workouts, I’m using Sweet Sweat waist trainer. You can get these below, from Alta Fitness. You’ll get a 20% discount on your purchase.
4.Managing anxiety and stress is key to stay healthy while being at home
Keeping your mind busy while you stay at home is crucial to maintain wellbeing. To avoid boredom, get back to that favorite hobbie. You can read a book, sing, dance, paint, craft something new or practice that new recipe. Nurturing new skills will not only keep you busy, but will also help you feel good about yourself.
Have you thought about enrolling in a free online course? Trust me, there are tons out there, and have very useful resources. I really love learning new things all the time, so this is a must for me. And, I bet it will be useful for you too.
Meditation, mindfulness and even yoga are also great ways to take off the anxiety and concern from our surroundings. If you haven’t done this before, don’t worry. You can also find valuable resources or tutorials. I personally also nurture my spirituality. Reading my bible has helped me maintain mental strength.
5.Take time to pamper yourself
This is the time to start taking more time for yourself as a priority! Do that facial treatment at home, that you have always been postponing because you get back from work tired. Take a massage. Feed your mind with positive thoughts. Here, it may also be useful to disconnect some time from social media and the news. I know it’s important to stay on top of the game with what’s going on, but, we need to take care of our mind and soul. Disconnecting from social media at a certain time of the day will give you space to dedicate more to you and your loved ones.
6.Sleeping well is a must to stay healthy while being at home
One of the best things to do to stay healthy while being at home is to get enough sleep. I’ve said it in previous blogs. Lack of sleep is the main reasons why you are more stressed out, have more cravings, gain weight, feel miserable, etc. Now that you are at home, take that well deserved time to rest. A good night sleep will help you feel revived and healthier!
7.Follow rules of personal hygiene
Well, I bet you’ve heard this advice all over the rules. But, it’s not too late to keep stressing enough the importance to wash your hands. More than ever, it’s important that you keep your hands sanitized, even at home. It’s the way to stay healthy, but also the main strategy to avoid getting infected with coronavirus. For more on this topic and guidelines, head over to the WHO website.
8.Practicing social distancing doesn’t mean isolation!
Exactly! Social distancing may be interpreted as being lonely or forgetting about everybody. However, that is far from reality. More than ever, you have a good chance to stay connected with your friends and loved ones. Thank goodness to the messaging apps and social media! You can skype, plan zoom meetings, do video calls through whatsapp, etc. The best thing about these apps is that they are free!
9.Keep your house clean to stay healthy while being at home
Well, I think I shouldn’t stress this, but in case you weren’t thinking about it. This is the time to focus on more cleanliness. Not only will you stay healthy while being at home, but you will also prevent any risks of getting infected with any viruses. Keep your cleaning gear and constantly wipe down areas with sanitizer, especially in the bathroom and kitchen.
10.Practice awareness and gratitude
Last but not least is being just grateful! This is one of the things that has kept me going in life. Not only during these difficult times, but always! Keeping a positive attitude, remembering the things that I have is what has helped me get along the good and the bad. Always think that there is someone out there that is in a worse situation than you. Therefore, practice more gratitude. Cherish what you have, not what you are missing!
Finally,
We are all in this together! Taking care of yourself involves many small things. It all makes a difference when it comes to wellbeing. Maintaining a positive mindset and keeping these tips in mind will help you stay healthy while being at home. We will get through this! But most of all, focus on all the good things you gain, the knowledge, skills and habits to get stronger than ever! Let me know your thoughts in the comments down below.
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Till then!
Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links, and I will earn a commission if you purchase through these links. Please note that I’ve linked to these products purely because I recommend them and they are from companies I trust. There is no additional cost to you.
