Self Care – Maintaining Your Physical Health

Last month we discussed the importance of mental health in isolation. Now we’ll go over some tips for keeping your physical health up to par. Physical health will also help improve your mental health, so if lasts month’s tips didn’t work as well as you had hoped, try them in tandem with some of the following!

Physical Health

While all the gyms may be closed, and those chips or candy may look really appealing while you’re watching Netflix on your couch. But self-discipline is an important thing to hold onto, even if it’s difficult. Not to say you can’t indulge every once in a while, but it’s all about balance. Practice these reasonable tasks to keep yourself from being stagnant and keep healthy.

Exercise:

Keeping active, even if it is just ten minutes of light activity a day is better than nothing. Being stuck at home, it is easy to spend the whole day sitting on the couch or laying in bed. Make an effort to inject some exercise into your daily routine, in any way you can.

• Go for a walk
  • Even if it is just around the block, get out and enjoy the fresh air and walk around a bit.
  • If you have a dog, they will certainly love the extra walks.
  • Keep in mind social distancing, but there is no harm in walking around the block
• Do at-home exercises
  • Bodyweight exercising is an easy way to train without any equipment
  • Yoga can be done anywhere and it a great way to relax while still working exercising.

Nutrition:

Quarantine snacks maybe a trending term on social media, and it may be easy to fall into the habit of eating out of boredom, but ensuring you are eating healthy regular meals is as important as ever. A healthy regular diet will help boost your immune system which is important when dealing with a pandemic.

• Eat at regular intervals
  • Just because time doesn’t matter anymore doesn’t mean you should eat all the time.
  • Try and keep your food intake to regular meals
  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner at regular times throughout the day
  • The occasional snack is okay, but don’t eat of boredom
• Eat reasonably healthy
  • Stick to your usual diet, try and eat foods high in protein and low in fat and carbs
  • Eat veggies! If you are going to snack, try a carrot over a candy bar.
• Avoid grazing
  • Keep your snacking to a minimum
  • Don’t eat out of boredom
  • Avoid going to the fridge until its mealtime
• Drink plenty of water
  • This will quench your thirst as well as sate your hunger.
  • It is much better for you than pop or juice
• Keep your drug/alcohol intake to a minimum
  • Yes, no one will know if you are drinking while you’re making breakfast, but it doesn’t mean you should.
  • Self-control is important, and while a little treat once in a while never hurt anyone, make sure you are being responsible

Hygiene:

Just because you aren’t going out anymore doesn’t mean you shouldn’t keep your hygiene in check! Regular showers and brushing your teeth aren’t for everyone else benefit, it also keeps you healthy and happy.

• Regular showers
  • A hot shower is a great way to relax and refresh
  • A cold shower can kick start your brain if you are feeling particularly lethargic
• Brushing your teeth
  • You should brush your teeth at least twice a day
  • Once in the morning when you wake up
  • Once before bed
  • (Your dentist recommends brushing your teeth after every meal for at least two minutes)
• Personal grooming
  • Giving yourself a haircut, shaving, or even just getting dressed up is a great way to keep you feeling fresh
  • Keeping yourself kempt will help keep your mood happy and healthy

Body and Mind in balance is key to a healthy lifestyle. Next month we will discuss some great ideas for things to keep yourself busy while staying home. Keep safe and healthy, and keep these tips in mind as you go through your day today.