Follow These 8 Steps to Foster Health & Wellness during COVID-19

With the advent of this global pandemic, we all have been doing our part to stop the spread by wearing masks, sanitizing our hands frantically almost every passing minute, staying inside the home and keeping to ourselves. But is there any healthy lifestyle to prevent COVID-19? Are there extra steps that can help us stay health and wellness through our mind, body and soul? Read on to find out.

1. Eating Healthy Diet

We are all aware that eating healthy diet is the gateway to a long and healthy life. Being amidst this pandemic has made it all the more essential for us to take care of our health and wellness during COVID-19. The scientists claim that there is no miracle diet chart available that can prevent the spread of coronavirus or stop you from getting infected. But eating a well balanced diet can supply your body with all the required nutrients which can boost your immunity and energy levels and help in warding off the infection.

Include citrus fruits in your diet chart to get Vitamin C. Eat dairy products like milk, yoghurt, cheese to make sure your body is meeting the requirements of Vitamin D as well.

2. Include Health Supplements

Even though we might believe that we are eating a well balanced diet, sometimes, our body is unable to squeeze in the required amount of nutrients from the food that we are eating. This is exactly why you must start taking multivitamin supplements every day.

While there is insufficient data, some of the studies have shown that people with Vitamin D deficiency are at a higher risk of getting infected by a coronavirus. Irrespective of that, it is always advisable for you to keep yourself updated with the deficiencies and include supplements to keep the balance of vitamins and minerals maintained as one of the measures towards healthy lifestyle to prevent COVID-19.

If you want to boost your immunity, many curcumin based tablets and gummy bears are available for both adults and kids. Curcumin is a bio compound that is said to be found in turmeric. It is known to boost your immunity by producing more infection-fighting T-cells.

Get yourself tested completely and talk to your physicians about the amount of multivitamins to be taken on an everyday basis.

3. Cut Down on Alcohol and Tobacco

Another important altercation for a healthy lifestyle to prevent COVID-19 would be to stop drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes.

In general, consumption of alcohol is seen to have a negative effect on your immune system. It can weaken your ability to fight infections and thus increase your risk of getting infected by the coronavirus. Thus, reducing or completely removing alcohol from your healthy lifestyle is advisable. It is also noted that alcohol alters your ability to make rational decisions and you might not follow the rules to wear a mask and follow social distancing when you are under its spell.

Since coronavirus impacts the respiratory system severely, another healthy lifestyle change that you should bring is to stop smoking altogether. Smoking fills your lungs with tar reducing its capacity to hold oxygen while weakening your respiratory system as well. To increase the capacity of your lungs and clean them of any dirt and tar, there are several easy yoga poses that one might try like anulom-vilom, kapalbhati, Matsya aasan or fish pose and many.

4. Stay Active

While the gyms are closed, you can stay active by including yoga or aerobics at your home itself. Doctors suggest that doing 30-minutes light exercise or walking/jogging can do wonders for your health. It can boost your immunity system, release endorphins and keep your body fit and in shape. Endorphins are also known as the happy hormone that helps you cope with stress and feel cheerful. If you don’t know how to start a healthy lifestyle to prevent COVID-19, there are several apps in the market which are available in both paid and free versions to guide you with your journey to staying active during lockdown at home.

5. Maintain a Healthy Weight

Excess weight is already one of the major risk factors for causing major heart diseases and other conditions like hypertension, diabetes and arthritis. Studies have shown that people carrying excess weight are also at a higher risk of getting infected by the coronavirus.

To determine whether you are overweight, globally the body-mass index formula is followed. It is a measurement of your body weight against your height. For most adults, a BMI between the ranges of 18 to 25 is considered healthy and normal. If your BMI is falls between the ranges of 25 to 29.9, you are overweight, and anything beyond that is considered as an obese person. Studies show that people who are obese and fall under the 35 to 40 BMI range have almost 40% higher chances of getting severely affected by COVID-19.

Thus, it is essential that you focus on your health and wellness during COVID-19 and reduce your weight by following a proper healthy diet and exercise. You can consult with your doctor and a dietician to help you with that.

6. Prioritize Your Mental Health

Irrespective of how positive you are feeling right now, staying locked inside the house with limited contact with your loved ones can take a toll on your mental health. Watching news might also bring in negative energy lowering down your motivation to do anything.

If you are facing mental health issues, understand that lockdown and this pandemic have affected even the strongest of minds and institutions and there is no need to feel hesitant and ask for help. Talk to your family members, friends and relatives about your mental health and ask them to help. There are several helplines available that can help you get through this tough phase.

Your mental health & wellness during COVID-19 is as important as your physical health. Ensure that you are taking a break from non-stop working and social media to reduce fatigue and anxiety. Keep some time aside to spend with your family or just to simply de-stress. Curl up with a good book and a glass of wine, watch your favourite movie or take a rejuvenating bath – do what makes you happy.

7. Take Your Medications

If you have a pre-existing condition, make sure you take your medications daily or as prescribed to keep those problems at bay. Many doctors are now providing virtual consultations which you can use in case you want to take any advice.

8. Healthy Attitude

The key element that can help you keep coronavirus away and foster health and wellness during COVID-19 is following governmental guidelines seriously. Always wear a mask amongst crowded places or if you are meeting any one in-person, maintain social distancing guideline and wash or sanitize your hands regularly. Stay connected with your loved ones!