7 Ways To Stay Healthy (Mentally And Physically)
We’re all feeling a little stir crazy right now after months of being stuck inside for quarantine. So if you’re looking for ways to stay healthy mentally, physically, and emotionally, here are 7 easy-to-follow tips.
Even if you live in a city that has re-opened, many of us are still adjusting to working from home, limitations on bars and restaurants, and a dozen other new routines that we now have to handle.
With so much extra time spent at home, it’s important for everyone to take active steps to stay mentally and physically healthy.
How To Boost Your Physical Health
Here are a few tips that’ll help you keep your physical health in check:
1. Drink More Water
Drinking water is the easiest way to keep your body healthy. Our bodies use water to fuel many of the most important functions, and the side effects of dehydration can be very uncomfortable.
When you’re not drinking enough, you’ll find yourself getting headaches and feeling fatigued. That’s why it’s important to carry a 16 oz water bottle around with you as a reminder.
You can bring them with you anywhere you go or keep them around the house for sipping. Eventually, it will start to feel like the bottle equivalent of your favorite t-shirt, and you’ll want it with you everywhere you go.
We like to keep a water bottle in every room we use on a daily basis. This method helps to constantly remind us to sip our water and it’s a great way to keep track of your water intake – all the bottles should be empty before bedtime.
Come up with a goal for how much water you want to drink in a day based on your BMI and level of physical activity. Track your water, and your body will thank you for it.
2. Wear SPF Protection
Most people don’t realize that you should be using a light, facial moisturizer with SPF protection every day.
Even if you’re not planning to hit the beach, your face gets sunlight all day long. Sun rays can impact the health of your skin.
Drinking more water can boost your skincare routine by adding much-needed moisture to your skin and body. But, be aware of how often you’re in the sun and protect your skin with SPF.
If you’re heading to the beach or the pool for the day, slather it on and try to re-apply regularly.
3. Eat Local Produce
Eating local foods supports your community and helps local farmers. It’s also so much healthier than eating produce that was shipped in from thousands of miles away.
Local produce doesn’t need to be transported over long distances. So, by the time you buy local produce, it’s fresher and has more nutrients than other options.
Look for local farms that offer community supported agriculture (CSA) programs. CSA programs deliver fresh fruits and veggies to your home straight from local farms. These programs are perfect for your local veggie fix (even in the middle of a pandemic).
Although healthy eating is great for our physical health, it can also impact mental health. When you are healthy, you feel happy and energized.
4. Try Virtual/At-Home Workouts
Keeping ourselves in good physical health is super important during times when we may not be out and about as much as normal.
While gyms and studios are closed, you can sign up for virtual classes or check out home workouts on YouTube.
Exercising, much like eating healthy foods, not only improves our physical health, but it also can improve our mental health. Working out releases endorphins in your brain, which naturally boosts your mood.
Try to set a workout schedule for yourself and stick to it. And, don’t forget to keep your water bottle close by, so you can stay hydrated before, during, and after your workout.
But, Don’t Ignore Your Mental Health
Now that you’ve boosted your physical health, it’s time to take care of your mental health too:
5. Take A Digital Detox
Not sure if anyone else has noticed this, but does your phone’s battery last like five minutes since quarantine began?
Probably because you, like many others, have spent a significant amount of time scrolling through everything your phone has to offer — Instagram, Facebook, news articles. Yes, we’ve even succumbed to TikTok.
And while it’s easy for us to get sucked into the digital worlds that we’ve created, it’s not healthy to look at a screen all day long.
Let yourself take a break and step away from the phone, computer, and television. (Easier said than done, admittedly.)
You don’t have to go as far as to actually delete all your favorite social media apps, but try to limit your screen time. Give yourself one hour a day when you don’t engage with any screens.
Marie Kondo your social media accounts by going through and unfollowing any pages that don’t spark joy. Replace your scrolling habit with a healthier one.
Instead of constantly reaching for your phone, start reaching for your water bottle and boost your water intake. Try getting outside and taking a walk or a bike ride to clear your mind.
Enjoy a break from the constant stream of internet content. You deserve it.
6. Don’t Forget To Take Breaks When WFH
Working from home can be a challenge, especially if you’re used to office life. But, unprecedented times (cringe) call for unprecedented measures.
While many of us find ourselves setting up makeshift offices out of ironing boards and coffee tables, we need to remember that breaks are important.
Once you dive into your work, it’s easy to convince yourself to keep working straight through lunch just to get it all done in time.
However, breaks are healthy and even necessary. Set up a few times during the day to stretch, fill your lip balm water bottle (yes they exist and they’re life-changing), swipe on some balm, eat a snack, make a cup of tea, go for a walk, or read a book.
Once you return to your work, you’ll feel less stressed and ready to refocus your brain.
7. Try Meditating
Everyone can benefit from meditation. Research shows that meditating even for ten minutes a day can greatly reduce your level of stress and quiet your feelings of anxiety.
This is a great activity to do during your WFH breaks to help take your mind off of work-related stress.
There are dozens of helpful guided meditation videos on YouTube that focus your brain on visualization and peaceful meditation tactics.
Allow your brain to let go of everyday thoughts and promote feelings of peace with whatever form of meditation you decide to practice.
Health Comes First
Our minds and bodies are connected. When we do things to take care of our bodies, we’re helping our minds in turn and vice versa. Drinking water and exercising help us physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Try giving yourself a break from social media and go for a walk or meditate. You’ll start to see the positive impact of taking time for yourself sooner than you think.
