While we may be moving into the next phase of COVID-19 with the relaxing of stay-at-home orders, it’s fair to say we’re still a long way from getting back to ‘business as usual.’ However, many doctors and health professionals are quick to remind us that that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Why? Because it gives us a chance to refocus on wellness and getting back to basics!
Recommit to a healthier you
Experts stress that events like this, while scary, give us an opportunity to recommit to healthier habits. By focusing on eating better, using natural remedies that work with our bodies, exercise, and getting plenty of sleep, we can improve our overall well-being.
“Health professionals have been saying for years that the key to overall wellness is a combination of our physical, mental, and spiritual health,” said Dr. Oza, Releaf Health Medical Director. “While this COVID-19 experience is challenging, the silver lining is that it can also serve as a wake-up call. By making the right moves now, we can live happier and healthier for years to come.”
Promoting and practicing wellness
So what can you do to promote wellness right now? Let’s take a look at these important tips.
- Jumpstart your exercise routine – Even though gyms and fitness centers are beginning to open back up, we’ve long known they’re among the germiest places around. And if you haven’t been exercising regularly even before the virus, now is the perfect time to get outside to walk, run, or try another workout. Not only is exercise good for your heart and respiratory health, it relieves stress, can improve memory, and it can boost your overall mood. Many companies are offering free subscriptions right now, which can help you keep up your motivation. Find the perfect workout program – or a combination – and make it part of your daily routine – Nike, Peloton, or the Down Dog yoga app are just a few.
- Boost brain health – Part of staying healthy is keeping your mental sharpness. Hopefully, during quarantine, you’ve had the opportunity to stretch your brain, reading more, doing more puzzles, or even practicing music. Many people have also experienced brain-boosting benefits from using a variety of CBD products. CBD – a safe, natural compound found in cannabis and hemp plants – has been growing in popularity for years. People are using it to help with everything from boosting mental performance and managing anxiety to exercise recovery.
- Practice being mindful – During times of high stress and uncertainty, it’s important to remember that you’re not alone in how you feel. Being mindful can help us cope with anxiety and is a smart self-care practice. Kristin Lothman, a mind-body counselor with the Mayo Clinic’s Department of Integrative Medicine and Health, explains.
“Mindfulness is about paying attention on purpose to the present moment. And I believe mindfulness is a powerful tool we can use right now. The best way I can connect is not to be distracted, to be present, to engage in eye contact.”
Experts also recommend meditation, deep breathing, and practicing gratitude as keys to mindfulness. We all know we should be doing these things anyway – times like this reinforce that point.
- Eating healthy – This one may seem like a no-brainer, but we know that what we eat impacts our body and immune system. New research finds that our food choices may also affect our mood and mental health, sometimes called the ‘food-mood connection.’
So if your family has become regulars at fast-food drive-thrus, or you’ve been picking up restaurant food curbside even during this epidemic, take the time now to make a change. Start small by using restaurant meals as a treat and make healthy homemade meals more often. Heart-healthy Mediterranean diets, or following Harvard Medical School’s 6-week plan for healthy eating are great places to start. Doctors also outline foods that can help reduce our anxiety and boost immunity, such as citrus fruits and other foods rich in zinc, such as oysters, clams, beef, and eggs – check out the full list of immune-building recommendations.
Putting you first
Life gets busy and stressful, making it easy to put off the things we know are good for us. That’s why now is the perfect time to evaluate how you’re doing and recommit to making well-being a top priority. Getting family and friends involved is a smart way to hold yourself accountable, plus you’re taking steps to improve the health of everyone in your closest circle. At Releaf Health Clinic, we care about the physical, mental, and spiritual well-being of our clients. If you’d like to learn more about how we can help you kickstart a healthier lifestyle, please email or call us. We have doctors on staff to answer your questions about CBD, medical marijuana, and much more. We can help guide you on your journey to becoming the healthiest you possible.