Everyday life has been disrupted by the ongoing coronavirus epidemic. Statistics report that one-third (33%) of Americans have suffered from stress, anxiety or depression since the COVID-19 epidemic. It is more important than ever that we maintain our health in the face of the global crisis. Here are some tips to help you during and after the pandemic.

Tip #1: Stress Management and Mental Health are the most important aspects of your life

It’s important to maintain physical health during this global pandemic. However, it is equally important to stay focused on stress management. While it’s easy to let your mind race during times like these, this can have negative consequences for your body, mind, and emotions.

Stress Management:

• You need to be aware of the symptoms of stress so that you can de-stress and unwind.
• You should be able to identify coping strategies for stress if you are experiencing symptoms.

Here’s the truth. You can’t control everything, but you can control how you deal with it. Stress busters include taking a walk, sleeping well, and deep breathing.

Tip #2: Maintain a healthy diet

Are you getting enough vegetables? Healthy food is essential for your body’s energy and immune system. Include the following items in your daily diet:

• Lean meats/fish
• Whole grains
• Nuts/seeds
• Green veggies
• Fresh fruits
• Real dairy

These are some tips to help you get started:

• To boost your immune system, eat lots of fresh fruits & vegetables.
• By preventing food hoarding, you can save money and help your community.
• Purchase more perishable food than non-perishable, such as pasta and rice.
• You should establish a food budget that you stick to as strictly as possible.
• Drink less sugary drinks like energy drinks and sodas, and drink more water.
• To avoid food waste, eat leftovers the next day.

Comfort foods can be helpful in times of stress, but you should avoid overeating.

Tip #3: Keep Connected Virtually and In-Person

It can be difficult to get together with family and friends during the global crisis due to factors such as stay-at-home orders or limited public transport. It’s not all bad news. You can still connect with them via your smartphone or PC/Mac thanks to the Digital Age.

You also have many social platforms to choose from such as Zoom, Skype and Google Hangouts. Research shows that keeping in touch with family and friends is crucial for maintaining your mental health.

Tip #4: Make and maintain a sleep schedule

Ideally, we should be sleeping about one-third our lives. It is important to take the time to make a great sleeping environment.

It is important to have a regular sleep schedule. This is especially important during stressful times such as pandemics. This can have huge benefits for your mental, physical, and emotional well-being. These benefits include:

• De-stressing
• Mood
• Focus
• Immune system

A sleep schedule can be achieved by making sure your bedtime and rise times are the same each day. This can be done with the help of a sleep app or fitness tracker.

You should choose your bedtime based on how you sleep at night or morning.

Tip #5 – Keep Doctor’s visits and Prescription Meds

It’s possible that your primary care provider is dealing with coronavirus cases during these times. You might need to schedule your doctor’s appointments weeks or months ahead of time. This allows you to get the medical care you need.

Plan B is a telehealth appointment that allows you to safely consult with a healthcare professional.

Focus on disease management if you have severe health conditions such as type-2 diabetes, liver disease or heart disease. Some pre-existing conditions, such as autoimmune diseases, can make some people more susceptible to COVID-19.

Make sure you have all your medications in order. As soon as possible, get your prescriptions filled. Many doctors offer 60- or 90-day prescriptions during the COVID crisis to help you avoid monthly trips to your local drugstore.

Tip #6 – Eat healthy food and drink enough water

The old saying, “You are what your stomach eats” is true regardless of the circumstances, but it’s especially important during times like virus pandemics.

It’s just as important to have a consistent eating routine, like a sleeping schedule. It doesn’t matter if you eat three or eight meals a day. Your body will become more used to eating a regular schedule.

Comfort foods are part of the joy of eating. However, try to limit snacking to light snacks in morning and afternoon. This means that midnight cheat meals are not recommended.

Keep hydrated. These are some of the top options:

• Water
• Black coffee
• Green tea
• Fresh shakes
• Smoothies made fresh

For the best anti-aging benefits, drink 2 liters water per day.

Tip #7 – Stay Physically Active

It might be harder to get motivated to go to the gym when you are under lockdown or quarantine. This is the best time to keep on track and reach your fitness goals.

Low motivation during the COVID-19 epidemic is one of the greatest obstacles to regular exercise. Even if you don’t go to the gym every day, it is important that exercise be a part of your daily life during a pandemic.

You can make exercising part of your week, such as during lunch breaks or at staff meetings. Your virtual assistant can remind you to exercise so it’s hard to put off.

A money crunch is another possible reason for the global crisis. Participation in team sports can still be done at your local park and. You can also take free classes at your gym or recreation center. You can get in cardio and weight-resistance training.

Conclusion

It has been almost a century since the Spanish Flu pandemic. It is a common saying that “This too shall pass.” This crisis is a great time to establish and sustain healthy habits that will benefit you both now and after the end of the current pandemic.

During these difficult times, Norman Vincent’s “The Power of Positive Thinking”, is also an important concept. You should combine healthy eating, sleep well, social connections, positive vibes, and staying present with your loved ones. These can help you turn difficult times into opportunities for personal growth.