5 Ways to Stay Healthy During a Pandemic

Although this coronavirus pandemic is a stressful time for many, your health is incredibly important right now. Your physical and mental wellness should both be taken into consideration during this uncertain period. With that said, there are plenty of ways for you to take care of yourself and your family. We’ve compiled some of the best ways to stay healthy during the pandemic below.

Keep a schedule

When one day bleeds into the next, it can be very difficult to feel motivated or feel like you have any structure in your life. In fact, you might even feel like you have no control or structure at all. However, while you can’t control what’s happening out in the world, you can control your schedule. Try to keep a similar schedule each day. If you normally wake up at 7am, continue to do so to keep your circadian rhythm steady.

Eat lunch at the same time, take scheduled breaks to walk outside, and step away from screens for a certain amount of time each day. It’s more important than you might think to focus on staying calm during a pandemic. And, of course, try to go to bed at the same time each night. Your body will thank you.

Get exercise (safely)

The two safest exercises right now are running and walking, but it’s important that you stick to CDC guidelines while getting active. It’s important to wear a mask while you’re exercising and staying a minimum of 6 feet away from others. Taking these extra precautions will help keep both you and others safe.

Check out men’s or ladies’ running shoes if your old pair is getting worn out. You don’t want to get an exercise-induced injury because you’re relying on ancient running shoes. This may not be a zombie apocalypse, but you still want to be prepared with good shoes during the coronavirus pandemic.

If you’re a cyclist, it can be tempting to try to ride outside but it’s better to avoid it if you can. In fact, many trails are closed to the public because of stay-at-home orders and roads are dangerous, even during non-pandemic times. If you’re adamant about putting down some miles on your bike, opt to ride inside. Invest in a smart trainer and stay social using apps like Zwift or Strava.

Eat well and meal prep

Nutrition is more important than ever. Unfortunately, due to food supplier issues, your diet may be slightly different than usual, and you might not have as much fresh produce as you would like. You should try to eat leafy greens at least once a day, which are packed full of immune-boosting ingredients.

Keep your trips to the grocery store to a minimum and plan well in advance what you’re going to buy. Try to meal plan and focus on easy, quick meals with simple ingredients. Many staples might be out when you go shopping, so focus on long-lasting items. Pick fruits and veggies that don’t go bad immediately like apples or kale.

While indulging in a little comfort food is natural, try to stick to a well-rounded diet so you don’t come out of the coronavirus pandemic 20 lbs heavier.

Practice self-care

Just because you have a lot more free time compared to what you’re used to, doesn’t mean you have to be extra productive. You don’t have to write the next great American novel or get a six-pack at the end of your quarantine period. It’s okay not to feel motivated during a global pandemic! It’s also okay to branch out and try new things.

Take breaks from social media

Although FOMO doesn’t really exist right now, it can still be hard to avoid comparing how your self-isolation is going compared to others, especially those with a beautiful Instagram account. If you don’t have an Instagram-worthy apartment to quarantine yourself in but the models in your feed do, it can make you feel worse about the coronavirus pandemic. You should take days (or weeks!) away from social media if you can – you’ll feel better for it.

Avoid reading the news all the time

The news is very gloomy these days. While it’s true that it’s important to stay informed, consider only reading the news once a day or even once every few days to avoid overloading yourself with doom and gloom from the coronavirus pandemic. A break from the news can give you a mental break to focus on happier things like practicing your hobbies.