Stay Fit And Healthy in The COVID-19 Crisis With These Tips
Since the coronavirus outbreak, leaders all around the world are trying their best to prevent the spread of this virus. We all have been asked to do our part by staying indoors and go out only if it is necessary. The coronavirus has affected a lot of people worldwide, and the situation has led to a complete lockdown in many places. And while we are not going out and staying in our homes, are we taking care of our physical health?
All services like restaurants, pubs, and gyms are closed due to the coronavirus lockdown. And while you can not go out, it is important for you to stay active and fit at home. Sitting still at home can have adverse effects on your health. Staying fit and active has many benefits for your mental and physical health, especially in this crisis. Most of us are working from home, which means we have to sit in one place for long periods of time. This makes it even more crucial for you to do some physical activity regularly. Not engaging yourself in some physical activity can make you prone to various health issues such as high blood pressure and cholesterol. This can further increase the risk of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. You can easily avoid all these problems by simply being physically active. By taking out some time to take care of yourself will also help you in being more productive at work. If you can’t figure out the ways to stay fit and healthy, don’t worry. Here are some great tips that can help you in staying fit and healthy in the COVID-19 crisis.
1. Keep taking breaks frequently while working from home
Most of us are working from home to prevent the spread of this virus. But, working for long hours while sitting at the same place and not going out can have a negative impact on your mental and physical health. But, you can’t just stop working, so what can be done here? Well, you do not have to do much. Just taking breaks frequently in between your work can help you. Use this time to do some activity that requires some movement and help you stay physically active.
You can also choose to do meditation to get some relief from mental stress. Or you can opt for cardio exercises. Some of the best exercises are push-ups, skipping, and planks. If that is too much for you, then taking a short walk in your house can also be beneficial. You can even go to the terrace of your house to get some fresh air.
2. Drink enough water
I don’t have to remind you of the benefits of water. It can help you get a boost of energy, and you must drink water regularly, whether you are at home or in the office. It helps you in revitalizing your sense while being the best source of antioxidants. It can provide you mental freshness, which is very much required when you are staying in your home the whole day. Drinking at least four liters of water every day will help you stay hydrated and active. It also helps in improving your metabolism.
Also, drinking 2 glasses of warm water in the morning can provide you some more benefits. And adding a tablespoon of honey and some fresh lemon in it can also assist you in managing your weight during the lockdown.
3. Eat nutritious foods that will boost your immunity
A strong immune system can protect you against seasonal illnesses and other health conditions too. One of the best ways to boost your immunity is by adding a lot of nutritious vegetables and fruits in your diet. Start eating green vegetables and fresh fruits to strengthen your immune system.
Some of the fruits and vegetables that can help you in this are – citrus fruits (like oranges, tangerines, grapefruit, lemon), strawberries, tulsi, turmeric, and red bell peppers. Vitamin C in most of these foods helps in stimulating the production of antibodies and helps in protecting you from infection. Some other foods such as sweet potatoes, carrots, and spinach are rich in Vitamin A that can stave off infection. Protein can also help in strengthening your immune system. You can consume meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs to get a good amount of protein.
4. Meditation can help you stay mentally fit and healthy
There is chaos all around these days due to the COVID-19 crisis. This can take a toll on your mental health and can cause stress and anxiety. So, we all need some peace to calm down our mind and manage our stress and anxiety. And the best way to get rid of stress, tension, and anxiety while being at home is through meditation.
You just need to take out some time from your day and find a quiet and calm place. You can either sit in a room, in your garden or on the terrace. Then just close your eyes slowly and try to concentrate on your breath. And if you don’t have any experience with it, here’s how you can do it –
- Find a comfortable place and sit down.
- Slowly close your eyes and start focusing on your breath. They slowly inhale and exhale while taking long and deep breaths.
Keep breathing while leaving all the tension and worries behind.
Meditating can help you in managing your stress and tension during this lockdown. And this will further help you stay fit as you will be in better mental health.
5. Take a nap
Here’s a thing, if you are thinking of sleeping in the afternoon after having lunch, drop the idea because it is bad for your health. However, taking a small nap of 15 to 20 minutes in between your working hours can be beneficial for your health. This small nap can do wonders as it can reduce your stress level while making you feel relaxed. This midday nap is also known for reducing blood pressure.
So, just put your mobile phone and laptop away, close your eyes while lying down in peace for 20 minutes. This is also helpful to you if you did not sleep well the previous night, as it will make you feel relaxed. You will wake up with a fresh mood after this small nap.