Staying Healthy and (Hopefully) Sane During a Pandemic
Does the above image capture how you feel right now? If you answered “Yes”, that was a trick question. Do you feel like the man on the left, the woman on the right, or a combination of both?
We’re living in unprecedented times and having to adjust to a new way of working and living. Following are five tips to help you stay healthy and (hopefully) sane during this pandemic.
1) Routine
Wake up at a reasonable time, have breakfast, brush your teeth, take a shower, and comb your hair (if you have any left). Get dressed; it doesn’t have to be fancy, but don’t sit down for work in your boxer shorts. It’s about attitude and mindset. It’s also about preventing a gaffe in which you step away from your computer while your camera is still on. Having a normal morning routine helps create a sense of control and normalcy in otherwise abnormal times.
2) Work/Life Balance
When working from home, the lines between work and personal can become very blurred very fast. If you have enough space, I recommend physically separating your work area. If you don’t have a lot of space, create an imaginary boundary, perhaps by setting an alarm for 5 PM. Step away from your computer, get some alone time, and decompress.
Have some fun activities planned for the evening like building a puzzle or reading a book. Doing things that provide a sense of accomplishment and completion are great during such times of uncertainty.
3) Diet
I could tell from the empty store shelves that people bought a lot of sodium- and sugar-filled items (i.e. canned foods, cereal). There’s still plenty of fresh produce available, some of which freezes well. Milk and eggs will keep fresh in the fridge for a decent amount of time and pack a nutritional punch. Things like peanuts, almonds, and sunflower seeds are filled with vitamins & minerals while having a naturally long shelf life.
It has become a little too easy to grab a snack from the fridge or pantry. Something I’ve been doing for the past couple of weeks is tracking my caloric intake in a spreadsheet to ensure I don’t exceed a certain amount. I used tdeecalculator.net to determine my recommended number of calories.
4) Exercise
Yes, gyms are closed, but there are few excuses for being totally sedentary. If you have a stepping stool or a staircase, you can still get some steps in. Plus, there are exercises you can do without any equipment using just your body weight. For example: push-ups, squats, lunges, the plank, and jumping jacks. You won’t come out looking like a fitness model, but staying active will benefit both mind and body.
5) Spirituality
Prayer can have a therapeutic effect and complement the physical benefits of diet & exercise. It may also help one stay positive and hopeful about brighter days ahead. I personally like the early morning for prayer because everything feels quiet, calm, and still. And because my 2-year-old is still asleep.
Stay healthy. Stay sane. Stay home.