The COVID-19 crisis is changing our lives in many ways. One of the main ways it has impacted how we live is that countries around the world are implementing measures that keep people physically isolated. Some nations like South Korea and China instituted lockdown quickly with extremely strict rules and enforcement while other countries, like Sweden, barely put any rules out to the public hoping to create herd immunity. Many other countries, such as the United States, were slow to act and ramped up lockdown as the number of positive cases increased. Regardless of where you are located in this world you definitely experienced some kind of rules and lifestyle change. During these strange times you need to pick some favorites of the many ways to help keep spirits up and get through this pandemic safely.
-
Healthy Eating:
A healthy diet is one key to staying safe, your body will literally be less susceptible to a virus if your immune system is in tip top shape and ready to fight off any intruders. It can provide essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients to keep the body in top shape. Proper diets can boost immunity, aid in weight loss or management, and may reduce cancer risk. A healthy diet is a great foundation to have. Now is a perfect time to learn some new recipes and learn about nutrition. Instead of being a chore, cooking, and eating at home can end up being rewarding and fun.
-
Avoiding Drug or Alcohol Dependence:
Oftentimes, drug and alcohol dependence can begin as harmless fun. When people are facing challenges and uncertainty, they may become reliant on substances to cope or escape. The stress and isolation of this time may cause people to potentially develop dependency issues or relapse. Plus, willingly adding drugs to your system in higher amounts or greater frequency is going to lower the strength of your immune system and increase your risk of catching anything from COVID-19 to the common cold. The good news is that when this happens, there is help available. Treatment centers like Nexus Recovery are located in Los Angeles and have resources to get people back on track.
-
Getting Adequate Sleep:
Insomnia is a very common response to stress. When adequate sleep is lacking, the body is negatively impacted. Sleep deprivation can lead to weight gain, forgetfulness, mood/emotional imbalances, lowered immune system function, difficulty concentrating and learning, and decreased motivation. Sleep is a crucial component to the proper functioning of the mind and body. Even during isolation and spending time alone with nowhere to go, it’s important to keep a proper sleep schedule. Implementing a nightly relaxation and sleep regimen will pay off in numerous ways.
-
Exercising:
Physical activity is beneficial for mental and physical health. Regular exercise can help manage weight, release endorphins for better mood, improve flexibility, boost the immune system, reduce stress, help the body manage insulin, and more. Exercise is far too advantageous to be considered an option or a chore. There are so many exciting, engaging, and fun ways to exercise. Use some free time to find a regimen that works for you whether it is something restorative like yoga or something grueling like weightlifting and sprints. Another way to get exercise without trying is to add tough chores to your to do list. Things like gardening or other home repairs can be exercise all on its own.
-
Keeping the Mind Stimulated:
Isolation can lead to boredom. Keeping the mind stimulated and active can be a helpful way to cope with isolation and stress. There are a myriad of ways to challenge and engage the mind. During this time, many free courses from places even as esteemed as Harvard are being released for free. Finding something fascinating to study could be rewarding. Doing word finds, sudoku, creative writing, or any other artistic pursuits may work, too. Thinking differently, learning, and embracing novelty can be beneficial for getting through this time of uncertainty and help you pick up some new tricks or skills along the way. You may exit isolation a smarter and more well-rounded person than you were when this began, imagine that!
-
Finding New Ways to Connect:
Loneliness can be a big issue that people face when they are isolating. Even though the isolation measures are there to ensure safety, humans are social by nature. Not getting to see friends, family, or loved ones as much as before can weigh heavily on people. Technology can come in handy for helping people to still feel connected even when physically distant. There are numerous video chat apps that will let loved ones bridge physical distance and see and speak to each other. A low-tech option to feel less alone might be to become penpals with someone.
Reply