Breaking the Chain: Using COVID-19 as a Drive for a Healthier Lifestyle

The COVID-19 virus is continuously affecting our daily lives in terms of health and fitness, mental health, economy and, social. This pandemic and the consequent lockdowns have caused massive stress among people of all ages.  While many learned ways to cope with the new situation, it is irrefutable that many also did not. Reports about the rise of anxiety and weight gain during the pandemic are prevalent among countries affected by the virus. The declination of mental health is also a recorded case, wherein the young adults claim that their mental health has worsened since the pandemic.

As one can conclude, the reality of COVID-19 is a sobering case. However, it is also important to point out that Coronavirus should not only be seen as a threat but also as a challenge. Among the many negative effects brought about by COVID-19, there are some positive ones it brought along as well.  The lockdown and the amount of time we spend inside our homes allow us to do some self-reflection. During this time, we can either choose to have some much-needed rest and recreation from the daily grind of life or to better ourselves during the process.

Still, all of these things are easier said than done. Using COVID-19 as a basis, here are a few ways to use the pandemic as a basis for a healthier lifestyle.

COVID-19 as a Drive to Be Physically Fit

Exercise is not really everyone’s strong suit. Some people would rather stay in bed all day, and that is perfectly fine. However, with the pandemic rolling in, it may be time for people to consider the benefits of exercising. In order to stay mentally strong during this pandemic, exercising can prove beneficial. There have been studies that show that exercising can help reduce anxiety and depression by improving a person’s self-esteem and cognitive abilities.

Unfortunately, gyms and other facilities closing make this part a little difficult. With enough discipline and effort, however, then one may be able to integrate daily exercise into their routine life!

The first thing you have to consider to be physically fit during this pandemic is to set a goal for yourself.  Exercising without setting a goal can be difficult to continue. The best goal to set would be to achieve your ideal weight. This lets you have something to look forward to your weight loss regime that is achievable within a short-term period.

The next thing to consider is the activities you’ll be performing. As going outside to jog may not be an option, you can brisk walk around the house or garage as an alternative. This act can also be a solution for seniors who took jogging as one of their daily routines. If you have a treadmill, then it is best to use the treadmill every day if you could! Any intensive workouts such as weight curling can wait for now, unless you are experienced or have a trainer within the family. Normal push-ups, sit-ups, squats, and other basic exercises are enough as long as you get to your goal!

COVID-19 as a Drive to eat Healthily.

Stress eating is a major concern. Unfortunately, it is something that people do to copewith the pandemic. If stress eating is not properly looked after, then it can lead to obesity and cause heart problems. However, stress eating is not the only problem. There is also the issue of unhealthy diets and food culture lacking healthy alternatives. This, combined with the poor conditions, can make eating healthy rather difficult.  A new proper diet plan is a must if you wish to be able to eat healthy during this pandemic. Arguably, this is the step that is the hardest to do during the pandemic, but it is arguably the most important one. After all, there are no guarantees when the pandemic will stop. Having a healthy diet will help to keep your lifespan longer and avoid diseases or illnesses during the pandemic. The best way to achieve a healthy diet is to keep track of your macronutrients paired alongside your exercise schedule.

COVID-19 as a Drive to Achieve Something

It is certain that, over the years, we would have some tasks left over that we did not have the time to come back to. Whether it be as complex as building a Gundam Kit or picking up your guitar to continue your music lessons, to finally complete a task you have long set out to do will grant you a sense of fulfillment.

The additional time can also be used to try out new hobbies. Entertaining yourself while doing something productive can be a healthy way to spend time during a pandemic. You can even use your hobby to start your own business. For example, you can take up knitting as a hobby and, once you get good enough with it, you can start selling your projects as merchandise!