The COVID-19 pandemic has almost reached its second year since its first outbreak. While the crisis is here to stay, people must stay as healthy as possible. Sure, there is a mass vaccination going on worldwide. However, it’s still imperative to follow health and safety protocols.
There are healthy lifestyle practices you must continue to observe. But if you haven’t set such measures in place, it’s never too late to start. Know that fostering overall health and well-being is still the name of the game. The last thing you want to happen is to get your health compromised and end up COVID-19-infected.
That said, here’s how to ensure a healthy lifestyle during this pandemic:
1. Get vaccinated
Before we get into some practices for a healthy lifestyle, getting vaccinated must be your top priority. Authorized COVID-19 vaccines can help protect your body from the various strains of novel coronavirus.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides a list of approved COVID-19 vaccines: Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson’s. Also, take note of the other leading vaccines used in different countries.
If you haven’t got yourself vaccinated yet, consider what is being offered in your locality and have vaccination right away.
2. Follow health and safety protocols
Even though you are already vaccinated, still comply with health and safety protocols. Doing so is all the more crucial for children, older people, and those with underlying health conditions. These protocols must be a part of your healthy lifestyle for now. Below are some key measures to follow:
- Mask wearing
- Social distancing
- Avoiding crowded places
- Avoiding poorly ventilated spaces
- Frequent hand-washing
- Getting tested when showing COVID-19 symptoms
- Cleaning and disinfecting
- Daily health monitoring
3. Stay physically active
It’s easy to have a sedentary lifestyle amidst the COVID-19 crisis. The pandemic restrictions may have forced individuals and families to stay indoors. They spend most of their time at home surfing the internet.
It’s vital, however, to stay physically active during this pandemic. In fact, physical fitness must be a part of your healthy habits. As fitness centers have reopened, consider hitting the gym while following health and safety protocols. If not, set up a house gym and invest in exercise equipment and tools.
4. Have proper diet and nutrition
When it comes to having a healthy lifestyle, having a healthy diet for proper nutrition is a top priority. Be highly critical of what food you put on your table and what you eat.
As much as possible, go for whole fruits, green leafy vegetables, and lean meat. Make sure to cut down on your salt and sugar intake. Also, drink plenty of water every day. Avoid carbonated drinks, artificial juices, and alcohol.
5. Get enough sleep
Sleep is essential for physical health and psychological well-being. It must be a part of your healthy lifestyle by having a restful and restorative slumber every night. That way, you’ll wake up physically prepared and mentally stable.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends getting ample sleep every night. Adults must have at least seven hours of sleep, teens at least eight hours, and children at least nine hours of sleep.
6. Practice self-care
Self-care has become a buzzword during this COVID-19 pandemic. The healthy habits mentioned above are part of your self-care practice. But apart from these, you must have time for yourself as well.
Yes, it’s easy to take care of others, especially if you’re a parent. However, it’s essential to have and make time for yourself. Consider having a ‘me’ time, pursuing your interests and hobbies, and doing absolutely nothing. Amidst the chaos, you need to take a break and relax.
7. Engage in recreational activities
It’s crucial to engage in leisure activities as part of your healthy habits. Especially during this pandemic, it’s better to do something worthwhile and productive. Instead of curling up on your bed and surfing the web, perform physical and creative activities.
A few examples are producing handmade products, sewing and knitting garments, and taking your dogs to training classes. You can also pursue household maintenance, home improvement projects, outdoor landscaping, and home gardening. Ultimately, these recreational activities will help keep you insane amidst the COVID-19 crisis.
At this point, you now know how to keep yourself healthy amid the COVID-19 crisis. Consider the healthy lifestyle practices above, from getting vaccinated to practicing self-care to engaging in recreational activities. The ultimate goal is to foster your overall health and well-being amidst the crisis. But with or without a pandemic, staying healthy is crucial to the overall quality of your life.
