Here are several things you can do to help keep you healthy during the pandemic, or any other time really!
AVOID SUGAR.
Consuming an abundance of sugar causes a whole slew of issues. Sugar feeds the inflammation process in your body, so if you consume too much sugar, your body is in a constant inflammatory state. This causes joint and muscle pain, can make you feel drained of energy despite the amount of sleep you get, and can cause blemishes and the appearance of aging skin. Not to mention all the other scary things, like weight gain, diabetes, kidney disease, and cancer. Remember when it comes to sugar, moderation is key!
GET PLENTY OF SLEEP.
Your body recovers from daily stressors while you’re sleeping, so it’s vital to get 8-9 hours of good QUALITY sleep every night. Sounds unrealistic, right? I promise it’s possible! Set yourself a sleep schedule and go to bed at the same time every night, avoid screen time within an hour of going to bed, and make the room as dark as possible since even the slightest amount of light can throw off your circadian rhythm. (Put a piece of tape over the light on your phone charger or the smoke detector if you have to!) Doing these steps will help to regulate melatonin (sleep hormone) levels in your brain to help you get the best rest possible.
MOVE YOUR BODY MORE!
The old rule applies: if you don’t use it, you lose it! Movement is SO important for maintaining your heart and musculoskeletal health. To keep your muscles and joints working properly and to make sure they last you a long, long time, you must move your body daily. It’s recommended to perform an activity that gets your heart rate to 120 bpm and maintain that for 30 minutes per day. Take the dog for a walk, ride a bike, challenge a friend to a dance-off, whatever it takes!
EAT MORE COLORS.
Eating a wide variety of colors will help ensure your body is getting plenty of vital nutrients to support the numerous functions that work to keep your body healthy. Refer to my post “Eat The Rainbow: 6 Shades of Nutrients” for more info on what each color can offer and how to get them in your diet!
GET ADJUSTED REGULARLY.
Adjustments will help to decompress the nerves in your spine so they may function optimally to keep your body healthy. This will help to relax tight, overworked muscles and increase flexibility to keep you moving. Adjustment also help to reduce inflammation in your body so your immune system can work better to keep you healthy as we go into the colder months.
STAY HYDRATED.
Drink 16 oz of lemon water first thing in the morning to get the digestive juices flowing. This is help make sure you start off the day well hydrated, lubricates the linings of the intestinal tract, and “wakes up” the liver to filter out all the “crud” and leave you feeling rejuvenated. Throughout the day, continue to consume at least 8 oz of water every 3 hours to maintain proper hydration the rest of the day.
GET SOME FRESH AIR.
Be sure to take a moment to yourself and get some fresh air daily. This helps to break up the monotony in your daily routine and gets delicious oxygen into your lungs and brain!
HUG SOMEONE DAILY.
You heard me! Hugs promote the release of the feel-good hormones, dopamine and serotonin, in your brain which can boost your mood and relieve symptoms of depression. Hugs can also help to relax muscles, increase circulation, and releases endorphins in your body to reduce tension and soothe aches and pains.
Of course there are other things you can be doing to help keep you healthy, but this list will get you started! Let us know how it’s going!
