Without a doubt, the coronavirus has significantly impacted our lives in a myriad of ways.

We isolated ourselves at home, learned how to social distance safely, and oriented ourselves to the ensuing “new normal.” Similarly, the pandemic has made many of us realize that proper hygiene and good sanitation are paramount if we want to mitigate the spread of the virus.

A year after news of the pandemic first broke, however, a lot of us have adapted to a new lifestyle wherein we have learned how it is to live with a pandemic.

Today, face masks have become relatively commonplace that anyone spotted without them would look more out of place than individuals who wear them. Similarly, alcohol sprays and anti-bacterial wipes have become ubiquitous personal hygiene items almost everyone seemingly possesses.

From that standpoint alone, we are already living in a different world where most of us have learned to adapt to a world riddled with a virus, but are these enough?

More importantly, will these practices ensure you stay physically and mentally healthy? While staying indoors and practicing social distancing are still the best ways to avoid contracting the virus, you need to ask yourself whether your lifestyle in isolation is “healthy”.

As many of us are driven indoors, our need for physical activities is drastically reduced, paving the way for a more sedentary lifestyle. With this rather unprecedented lifestyle shift, there is a potential for the normalization of prolonged periods of watching television, lying in bed, and any other stationary activities.

All of these can lead to physical inertia, and while it is not as dangerous as the virus, it is just as unhealthy if left unchecked for long. That said, we must stay proactive about our health—both physical and mental—while we isolate ourselves in our homes.

Understandably, maintaining a healthy lifestyle may be a little challenging given how limited our options are. Still, with a bit of creativity, we can maintain an active and healthy lifestyle—even in the era of social-distancing. The pandemic has undoubtedly impacted our day-to-day routine, which may negatively influence our health.

To address this, we need to think of ways to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle while limiting our exposure to the virus. You can do this safely within the confines of your own home—especially when you move into a new condo or house and lot in Quezon City soon.

Tips on how to stay healthy during the pandemic

In any case, below is a list of tips to stay healthy even in isolation.

1) Stay active

Some gyms have already opened, but if you are a little wary about sharing fitness equipment with people you do not know, you can always choose to do your workouts at home.

Some exercises do not require any gym equipment, such as jumping jacks, sit-ups, and push-ups—all of which are great exercises to stay fit. Alternatively, if you want to get a dose of nature, you may want to jog or go on a brisk walk in uncrowded areas outdoors.

2) Prioritize diet and nutrition

It can be quite easy to overeat and overindulge unhealthy food such as chips and other snacks in isolation. However, it is essential to practice self-discipline and avoid any “emotional eating habits” due to stress.

Inevitably, some of us may tend to snack on chips and other unhealthy food more than usual, given the stress caused by the changes surrounding the pandemic.

If you find it difficult to keep yourself from snacking on processed snacks or fast food, try the alternative of filling your plates and bowls with leafy greens, fruits and vegetables instead. These are loaded with vitamins, fiber, and minerals and are a lot healthier to munch and snack on.

3) Get adequate sleep

Having good and adequate sleep is crucial to our overall health. The body performs optimally if well-rested, which means adults aged 18-60 years should get at least seven or more hours of sleep per night.

While you may be staying home and indoors more than usual, your routine might have shifted. You might even find yourself staying up later than usual, given that you do not have to rise early.

Avoid this habit at all costs and try to keep a normal bedtime and waking hour—much like how it was before the pandemic started.

4) Practice self-care

Amid all the precautionary measures you are taking to ensure that you do not contract the virus, be sure to take time to take care of yourself. In the same way, suggest the same for those close to you.

Do the things you enjoy, such as meditation, relaxation, quality time with family, and any self and personal care that promotes overall wellness.

5) Cope with stress and anxiety

Given how uncertain the times are nowadays, it is easy to feel stressed out and anxious. That said, you can cope with the anxiety induced by the pandemic by including positive coping mechanisms into our routines such as exercise, meditation, reading or learning a new skill, or developing an existing one.

Use the extra time you have in your hands to indulge yourself and enjoy the hobbies you used to have but no longer had the time for. You may even use this time to repeat these positive activities daily and develop new or even better routines than those you previously had before the pandemic.

6) Prioritize healthcare maintenance

If you have any maintenance medications for any underlying health conditions, be sure to take them as prescribed by your physician. If you have any concerns, reach out to your healthcare provider. You do not even need to physically visit their clinics as you may opt to do a consultation over the phone with your doctor.

However, if you wish to have a physical check-up, request an appointment and have it scheduled so that you would not need to wait for prolonged periods in waiting rooms.

7) Stay connected

We may be encouraged to stay indoors as much as possible and limit our time outside, but social distancing does not mean being socially disconnected.

During uncertain times like these, it is imperative to stay connected with loved ones. You may even take this as an opportunity to re-connect with old friends and distant family members who you have wanted to hear from.

With today’s innovations in technology, staying connected is easy and can be done at any time of the day. Virtually call and connect with your loved ones via Zoom or Skype and stay up to date about what they are doing. Put a spin to your virtual calls by playing games as well to keep things fresh and entertaining.

While the tips above can improve overall health and wellness, they do not guarantee immunity from the virus. Please note, however, that physical activity and taking care of our mental health make us healthier and more resilient in adapting to this new era of social distancing and isolation.

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