Ways to stay healthy during quarantine
- BOSS Newspaper
- Jun 21, 2020
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 22, 2020
Let’s face it: being cooped up in your house probably wasn’t what you envisioned as the weather started to get warmer. Maybe, quarantine feels like an endless day, with hours of Netflix, Youtube, and TikTok infiltrating your stream of consciousness. Maybe, you’re on your 13th snack trip of the day—and it’s only 10 am! Or maybe, you’re handling quarantine just fine, responsibly doing all your school work (like the superhuman you are). Nevertheless, staying at home all day isn’t ideal for our bodies and health. If you’re trying to stay healthy during the pandemic, here are some tips to give your body the boost it deserves.
Craving your favourite dishes? Revamp them with a healthy twist! For instance, sandwich breads can be swapped for a sturdy leaf of lettuce, and delicious baked goods can be upgraded with fruit and nuts. The possibilities are endless, so experiment! Consider a more plant-based diet as well. Not only does a plant-based diet reduce your environmental footprint from meat products, fruit and vegetable substitutes contain beneficial nutrients such as beta-carotene, vitamin C, and vitamin E, all of which boost your immune system—much needed amid a global pandemic.
Still having trouble with keeping a healthy diet? Planning a meal schedule in advance, says nutritionist Joy Bauer, can excite your brain and “trick” it into craving the next healthy meal. She adds that healthy eating is a balancing act, not restrictive. If you’ve been eating too much unhealthy food one day, balance it out the next with some fresh produce!
Start drinking more water. Physical therapist Trent Nessler says individuals should be drinking between half an ounce to an ounce of water for every pound they weigh. Sound like a lot? Well, drinking water has various functions—maintaining body fluids, aiding digestion, and energizing muscles, so you’ll stay invigorated even if you’re not up and about.
Now for exercise... With the pandemic, many have been taking the extra time to get in shape. However, if you’re feeling unmotivated to work out, here are simple ways to get active.
Put on some music and move your body! Dancing is a great and underrated way to get active. Don't worry about being a “bad dancer”—anyone can dance if they have the right attitude. Furthermore, dancing improves cardiovascular health, challenges the brain, and boosts cognitive function. It can be a great way to spend time with family or by yourself. Above all, dancing doesn’t require any fancy workout equipment—just your body and some good tunes. So don’t be afraid to let yourself go!
In the same vein, walking can be an equipment-free and low-cost way to get active. Not only does it allow you to get a breath of fresh air after staying inside all day, walking, like dancing, improves cardiovascular health, tones your muscles, and boosts your mood. It can also be an opportunity for family time or self-reflection. Just make sure you’re physically distancing and paying attention to the traffic!
However, as important as physical health is, it’s important to take care of yourself mentally and emotionally. According to a survey done by Statistics Canada, over half of the participants reported worsening mental health due to physical distancing. If you feel that your mental health has been negatively impacted during quarantine, don’t be afraid to reach out to those around you for guidance and assistance. For those unable to confide with family or friends, there are plenty of mental health resources online that can help improve your mental well-being. No matter what, if your mental health has been impacted, do not be afraid to reach out to someone. Remember, you are never in this alone!
Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, it is crucial that we find various ways to take care of ourselves both physically and emotionally. Making an effort to physically distance and stay healthy not only benefits our health as students, but also helps our extraordinary essential and front-line workers care for those with COVID-19. We all have a part to slow the spread and flatten the curve. Stay healthy and stay safe!
Online mental health resources:
By Sasha Van
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