The famous Dickensian sentiment, “It was the best of times. It was the worst of times,” could perhaps be applied to the current year as well. However, individuals like Dr. Stacey Wells are helping people learn to make the best of this unprecedented time. An MD from Boston University School of Medicine, Dr. Stacey Wells shares five tips to help you stay healthy amidst the pandemic.
Read
Our thoughts are shown to be linked to our physical and internal well-being. Needless to say, books or articles that encourage positive thinking play a huge role in preparing the mind to deal with stress. For the non-readers among us, start small, start slow, but start even if it’s just 10-15 minutes a day.
Exercise
Try not to confuse the act of physical movement with focused exercise. Simple stretches, tone-ups, and flexibility exercises, done for 5 minutes a day, can help you look and feel good. This chemical energy can then be used to focus on other tasks that might otherwise seem Herculean.
Relax
When you relax, you make your body and mind aware of the fact that you are about to slip into a no-thought, no-stress, and no-movement zone. It can be a precursor to a healthy sleep regimen. Try taking 10 deep breaths while relaxing every muscle in your body, concentrating on each breath. It can help you sleep well and wake up well.
Eat carefully
Eating probably is one unhealthy way to escape stress, especially during these crazy times. It’s so easy to order from your nearest restaurant instead of preparing the food at home. However, with the high calories of most restaurant food, you are more likely to gain weight and increase your daily salt and sugar volume. Instead, cultivate the habit of cooking at home. Let go of takeout and try to cook proper meals yourself. It’s a form of self-care that bears instant results. And, once you depend more on yourself and less on restaurants, you will, in all likelihood, start eating carefully.
Stay connected
Thanks to the technological marvels of the 21st century, we no longer face the stresses of our not-so-distant ancestors. Now we can stay connected even when apart. So make full use of this opportunity, especially if you are blessed to live in a country where this is possible. Healthy interaction amongst friends and family, in any form, helps to extend life expectancy and gives life purpose.
Small steps go a long way in helping you acquire healthy habits. So, take a deep breath and face the pandemic as a stronger, healthier, and happier you. It might not change the fate of the world but it’ll make dealing with things a lot easier.
