Taking Care of Your Body During COVID-19

COVID-19 has put many people in an interesting position when it comes to their physical health. Some people are more active than ever before, but for many of us, keeping our attention focused on physical health became a challenge.

Finding ways to stay in shape and take care of your body during this pandemic is not only important for your future health but can help presently, both mentally and physically. Here are a few tips to keep in mind to help you take the best care possible of your body during COVID-19.

Workouts Don’t Require a Gym

For the more physically active, having gyms be some of the earliest establishments to be closed due to the global pandemic was crushing. According to a study by researchers at UC San Francisco, using the step measurements from smartphones, “there was a 5.5 percent average decrease (287 steps) worldwide, growing to a 27.3 percent drop (1,432 steps) within 30 days.”

Many people had established the gym as a part of their daily routine and were left with a void. Although gyms are effective, there are many other alternatives that can ensure people are still getting their physical activity and enjoying their time while they do so.

A multitude of people have started taking more hikes or longer walks. This is a great way to ensure that you are spending enough time outside, in addition to getting some nice physical exercise while keeping your distance from other people. The physical activity you choose doesn’t have to be particularly strenuous, but just enough to get your blood moving. This can simply be walking around briefly, stretching your muscles, or even simply dancing to some music!

For those who feel there are no true alternatives to a gym, you can work on building one in the comfort of your own home. This could end up saving you money in the long run, even after gyms are consistently open. Depending on the extent of the equipment you would require, financing could range from simply saving money for a period of time to taking advantage of record-low mortgage rates and refinancing your home. Wherever you choose to exercise, the physical health benefits will be well worth it.

Food is Fuel

Food is one of the most important aspects that attributes to a healthy body. Ensuring that you have the proper balance in your diet can help maintain or even improve your health. Harvard Medical School published an article with some eating tips that can help improve your mood and reduce stress. These tips range from simply attempting to keep a rather regularly scheduled eating plan, which can help to avoid unnecessary snacking, to suggesting meals over video calls, which can help bring some normalcy back to mealtime.

It’s important to know exactly what you’re putting into your body, and many people exceed the recommended levels for certain food groups. According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, “Typical American diets exceed the recommended intake levels or limits in four categories: calories from solid fats and added sugars; refined grains; sodium; and saturated fat.”

While you don’t have to measure everything you eat down to a single calorie, know in general what your diet consists of. Make sure you are getting the right amounts of fruits and vegetables, and try to reduce less helpful food areas, such as sugars and empty calories.

Don’t Put Off Doctor Visits

Everyone knows that some doctor visits can be daunting, not just the process, but mostly in the payment. According to a study by HealthPocket, “51% of those surveyed said that at some point in their life, they had avoided seeking medical care due to their lack of ability to pay.” In the U.S., healthcare costs can stack up pretty rapidly, but that doesn’t mean that you should simply skip your doctor visits, particularly if you think you need one.

Especially in the time of a global pandemic, many people may put off going to the doctor simply because they don’t want to be exposed to larger groups of people, who may already potentially be sick. For those who are worried about situations like that, find a place like BackFit Health + Spine that offers rapid testing. With a wide variety of different testing options, from basic to more advanced, they also offer COVID-19 tests for current potential infections as well as the antibodies.

While healthcare may come with some complications or costs, it’s important to make sure you are taking care of your body. It is important to be aware of any issue you may feel with your body, and take the time to get yourself checked out.

A Good Night’s Sleep Works Wonders

A good night’s sleep can do more for your body than simply helping you wake up feeling refreshed and ready to go. Although that is always a nice feeling, making sure that you are getting at least the recommended seven hours of sleep a night can help you avoid many health complications down the road.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, “Adults who were short sleepers (less than 7 hours per 24-hour period) were more likely to report 10 chronic health conditions compared to those who got enough sleep (7 or more hours per 24-hour period).” In addition, there is also a correlation between those who sleep for shorter periods and increased obesity, being physically inactive, and smoking.

Ensuring that you are getting the correct amount of sleep for your age group is vital to keeping your body well-rested and healthy.

Limit Your Screen Time

With the global pandemic still ongoing, many people are spending most of their time in their homes. While in their homes, many people are spending more time on electronics, such as binge-watching a new TV show or simply working remotely. Although electronics do provide some quality entertainment, you should be careful of how much time you spend staring at a screen.

Dr. Ehlen of the Minneapolis Eye Center said “blue light creates a glaring effect on the eyes that can lead to symptoms like dry eye, blurred vision, headaches, nearsightedness, and eye fatigue. This condition is commonly called digital eye strain.”

Apart from simply monitoring how long you’re spending on electronics and ensuring you take small breaks, you could also try using a pair of blue light glasses that can help filter out some of the harmful wavelengths. There is a wide variety of blue light glasses offered ranging in prices and style, so finding the ones that work best for you can help make sure you’re keeping your eyes healthy and not overworked.

While staying motivated and focused during this trying time can be difficult, it’s important to take the time to make sure you are putting your physical health first. Take a small break and go for a nice walk, or make sure that you’re getting some vegetables in your meals. Make sure you visit your doctor if you think you may need to, and do your best to get at least seven hours of sleep a night. Watching how much time you’re spending on electronics can not only help you get a better seven hours of sleep but can keep your eyes happy and healthy. Try a combination of these tips to make sure you are focused on your health and are taking care of your body during COVID-19.