The year 2020 greeted us with a major health crisis: COVID-19, which was officially declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization in March 2020. Because of it, every major brand, news channel, and ad you see has been advocating the 20-second hand-washing rule, drinking lots of water, and boosting the immune system with a healthy diet. It’s certainly not a light matter.
While there’s certainly truth to what is advertised (seriously, wash your hands!), the world does need a few more reminders and tips on how they can lead a healthier life amidst this ongoing pandemic.
Read on to get inspired by small steps you can take for a happier and healthier you this year and beyond.
1. Get Rid of What You Don’t Need
Do you have too many things lying around in your house? It’s about time you get them sorted out. Marie Kondo was onto something when she said that there’s magic in tidying up your life. Having too much stuff can unknowingly weigh you down mentally, and you don’t need that at a time like this.
As a bonus, it keeps you busy and preoccupied now that you have a lot of time on your hands at home.
You don’t have to go full-on KonMari, but it would be nice to have a system when sorting out your things. You could simply put up donate, sell, and throw boxes so you can easily throw in an item you don’t need.
Once you’re done, rearranging your things (or maybe even redecorating) can help bring out that sense of freshness and a healthier you!
2. Remove any Sources of Stress
Granted, this is pretty challenging at the moment, given that the world is clinging onto developing stories about the pandemic, which admittedly can be stressful to learn. However, if you could try cutting back the number of times you check the news, it could significantly improve your mood. Practice mental wellness, too, whenever you can.
Even without COVID-19, social media can still become a source of stress. Looking at other people’s feed could negatively affect you as you compare yourself to others and obsessively curate your life to fit in with the world’s standards. Try to loosen your grip a little and focus on what truly matters. And no, it’s not the number of likes on your latest posts.
3. Take Vitamins
If you fear that you’re not eating a balanced diet, supplements can be your best friend. But, take note—they’re called supplements for a reason. It’s not enough to rely on them and then continue to eat junk. Instead, try your best to cook healthy meals at home and only give in to the occasional fast food if you have no other option.
Omega-3 supplements are an excellent choice since they fight stress and reduce inflammation in your body.
4. Establish a Daily Routine
You don’t have to be so detailed about this, so don’t feel overwhelmed about creating a daily routine. If you want to go all out, you can certainly do so, as well.
For starters, you could start with a ritual—it could be a 10-minute meditation session every morning when you wake up, a 30-minute yoga session in the afternoon, or journaling mid-day. Whatever gets you to your happy place and in a calmer mood.
If you’re feeling more adventurous or ready to do more, you could create a daily or weekly routine so you could plot what you want to do for the week. Spice things up so you have something you can look forward to.
A routine can help train your mind to form healthier habits so you can beat that familiar feeling of laziness.
5. Get Your Daily Dose of Sleep
Sleep is another essential building block of having a healthier mind and body. If your brain doesn’t get to reset and recharge over the night, you’d feel a lot of mental fog the next day. This could cause fluctuations in your appetite, a bad mood, and a loss of focus.
Having your eight hours of sleep will boost your memory function and help you regulate your stress levels. Allow your body to decompress and avoid staying up too late at night. If you can, try to go to sleep and wake up at the same time every day, and include this in your daily routine.
6. Quit Some Bad Habits
It’s easier said than done, but putting down that bottle of beer or that stick of cigarette will do wonders for your body. There are many styles of quitting, and it’s up to you to discover the method that best works for you. Of course, this will become more successful if you have your heart set to it, so make sure you adopt a healthy mindset before you begin.
7. Move Your Body
You’ve heard this before, but exercising is really key to keeping your body in tip-top shape. Although, this suggestion is often what other people skip in list articles like this. You don’t have to do complicated workouts or commit to hour-long sessions at the gym every day. Doing something you like, whether it’s boxing, swimming, or basketball, is enough to keep your activity levels high and endorphins up.
It doesn’t have to be so strict at all. If you enjoy dancing, merely turning up the music loud in your room and dancing to a few bops can get your blood pumping as well. Have fun with your workout! There are no rules, so move your body according to what you feel like on any given day.
Final Words
Don’t be afraid to take the first step! Taking care of yourself isn’t just about manicures, spa days, and desserts. It takes a lot of work. But, there’s never a wrong time to start. Invest in yourself and your health, and see your overall productivity and well-being change. In no time, you’ll meet a new and improved version of you, ready to take on whatever life throws at you next.
Stay responsible and healthy!
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