In many parts of the world, people are working from home under very tight restrictions due to the Coronavirus pandemic and this social isolation has led to an increase in mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety. In the midst of everything that is going on, it is not uncommon for one to feel these feelings. This makes your personal health and well-being all the more important. There is no better time than now to develop a health and wellness routine that will help you get through these times of uncertainty.
Adopting proper health and wellness goals with a good routine goes beyond the occasional workout, at-home spa treatment or a relaxing massage. It has to do with developing a series of habits that eventually become embedded into your lifestyle to enable you build resilience. The saying goes, “tough times don’t last but tough people do” and it rings true in this case. By building resiliency, you are able to stay grounded and adaptable when things plummet out of your control.
Focus on Food and Nutrition
Taking the time to eat as well as being mindful of what goes into your body is a huge part of focusing on proper food and nutrition. During a lockdown situation, it is very easy to eat either out of emotions or boredom. Watching and regulating your eating habits will be so important to maintaining a healthy weight. It might even be necessary to exercise portion control and only eat when you are absolutely hungry. Or it could make sense to limit your carbohydrate and sugar intake since technically, you are now less likely to burn through the excess calories especially if you are not living an active lifestyle. Take notice of when you are feeling full and do not eat except you are truly hungry. To avoid eating on impulse, you can plan to cook ahead of time and portion out what you intend to eat for meals and snacks. Then stick to the plan and try not to eat extra outside of the set portions. Canada’s food guide recommends filling at least half of your meal plate with fruits and vegetables. This can help with weight loss while improving your overall health.
Practice Good Sleep Hygiene
If you are having trouble falling asleep due to worry about the times, you might consider adopting better habits that allow you to relax. Getting a good night’s rest can help reduce stress and ensure you are well rested or refreshed enough to carry out the normal functions of the day. Poor sleep is bad for the health and can inhibit proper brain function. Some helpful tips include not taking long and irregular naps during the day so that you can fall asleep at the appropriate time at night. You should also avoid drinking or eating foods with caffeine in the evening because that could prevent you from falling asleep. And finally, distractions from bright screens are detrimental to sleep. Try to switch off all electronic devices before bedtime – phones, laptops, tablets, television should all be off at a certain time say, 30 minutes to one hour before bedtime. This allows your body and brain to gradually power down and unwind so you can easily fall asleep.
Develop a Self-Care Routine
Another thing that should be an important part of all your health and wellness goals is self-care. Self-care is important for this season of our lives when everything around us seems so heavy and tiring. A good self-care routine or plan can help you weather the storm and keep your balance in the midst of tumultuous circumstances. It can also reduce the impact of stress and anxiety. Proper self-care should cover your physical, emotional, spiritual and mental wellness. You can start by doing a needs assessment of your current stress levels. While doing this, consider where you are at in this very moment when it comes to self-care. Ask the question, am I currently taking enough care of myself? Identify your triggers, coping mechanisms and make room for improvement without self-judgement. The self-care plan will not look the same for everyone. It should be based on your own personal needs and situation. The most important thing is to create a plan that fits seamlessly into your daily activities such that it can become a lifestyle. It should not feel like a burden to take care of yourself but it should come willingly and naturally, as though it were second nature.
Hopefully, these suggestions have helped you to see the immediate importance of reaching your health and wellness goals this year. While most people have to stay indoors, it does not mean that they have no choice but to be unhealthy. With the right choices and good habits, you can prepare yourself to be resilient through these times – even if the social and movement restrictions last for a very long time.
Disclaimer – These recommendations are suggestions for taking care of health and wellness based on my lived experience and does not constitute medical advice. If you are having problems with your health, then I suggest that you talk to your doctor about your options for treatment.
I’m a seasoned communications and marketing consultant with a penchant for all things stylish and chic. Follow me on social media and subscribe to the newsletter for regular updates on industry trends and much more!
Thanks for the tips hon. I started well with my fitness and slipped in the last 2 weeks but it’s the weekend and I’m determined to roll out my exercise mat! Xo
Author
Hello Biki,
Yes for sure! It is so great to hear that you are on a fitness journey. I have certainly been trying to stick to a disciplined routine over here. It’s okay to skip some days as long as you get back on track again!