The current global health crisis has essentially altered every part of our lives — and this has a profound effect on our mental and physical health. A lot of us have been under immense amounts of stress and anxiety since the start of the pandemic, all of which can affect our mind and body. Indeed, the National Institute of Mental Health notes that long-term stress can develop into serious problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, depression, and chronic anxiety. As such, we must do all that we can to ensure that our bodies and minds stay at optimal conditions to weather out the pandemic.
In this post, we’ve listed below a few ways to help you achieve a holistically healthy body during these distressing times.
For Your Mind
Take this time as an opportunity to pursue skills that you’ve always wanted to develop. As most of us are now working remotely, we now have much more time on our hands — time that we can use to sharpen our mind and boost our memory skills.
One way to exercise your brain is by regularly reading and writing. Indeed, a study in the journal Neurology reports that those who made a habit of reading and writing decreased their chances of experiencing memory decline by 32%. Aside from daily journaling and joining a book club, you can also sharpen your memory by creating a blog and documenting your experiences.
If you can’t commit to building a new habit, you can still keep your mind sharp by starting any creative project — whether it’s painting a landscape or knitting a blanket. After all, art has a positive impact on our brain function, as it can help us develop neural systems that improve our fine motor skills, creativity, emotional balance, and even cognition.
Many have also sought the help of various professionals to keep their mental health in check during these precarious times. For one, you have psychiatrists and therapists — many of whom now offer their services virtually. In addition, nurses have been at the forefront of remote healthcare, as those that specialize in mental health are the first responders when people with mental health issues seek the help of telehealth services. Indeed, nursing careers have gone beyond servicing patients inside the hospital, as some focus their practice in specific areas of patient care, such as mental health, geriatrics, and genetics. Don't be afraid to seek help for whatever reason, as these services are more accessible and approachable than ever.
For Your Body
Of course, nothing beats exercising daily and having a healthy diet to keep your body in its best shape. There’s no excuse to not pursue a healthy lifestyle during these times, as you can easily find an app, website, or service that can help you achieve your fitness goals. For instance, you can download workout apps such as 8Fit, Center, and Fit Radio if you’re finding it difficult to find the motivation to workout. These fitness apps are built with the input of insightful trainers to help push you in the right direction.
When it comes to food, there are a ton of websites on the internet if you need help preparing a healthy and delicious meal. If you don’t have the skills to whip up a nutritious meal, there are tons of services and restaurants out there that can provide you with a weekly meal plan that’s specifically tailored to your nutritional needs.
Another great way to boost your physical health is to try out alternative physical therapies such as acupuncture. What’s great about these is that when used in tandem with standard medical practices, it can further enhance your immune system, energize your body, and restore a healthy flow of energy. More specifically, acupuncture is an all-natural treatment that increases the body’s natural healing processes through stimulating acupressure points throughout the body. It offers a slew of benefits that include alleviating pain and inflammation, enhancing fertility, restoring hormonal balance, treating anxiety and mental disorders, as well as overcoming various illnesses and physical conditions.
Everyone needs to have a healthy body and mind in order to live life to the fullest — even during these tough times. So, make sure to listen to our try to do what you can to keep yourself in the best shape.
