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Healthy Habits During COVID

Have you been taking care of yourself, inside and out?

By Melody PorterPublished 3 years ago 3 min read
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Healthy Habits During COVID
Photo by Jared Rice on Unsplash

COVID-19 has redefined everything from our working lives to our social lives to the way we handle (or fail to handle) our work/life balance. But one incredibly minor silver lining is that mental health and physical health have taken a front-row seat in the minds of Americans everywhere as we are forced to confront the ramifications of a complete upheaval of our lives.

The fact is, what was considered healthy and effective in 2019 can not possibly be applied in 2020. We are living in a completely different world where fear and restrictions and judgment are even more prevalent than they were before. But we are also doing one major thing. We’re talking about it. This article will identify a few healthy habits that have been affected in 2020 but not quite in the negative way that COVID-19 has affected everything else.

1. Healthy Eating Habits

We all went through that phase in March where we were determined to learn how to make artisanal bread, and frankly, comfort food had a major moment back when we were all just trying to make it through the day. However, as time has gone on, cooking for yourself, getting comfortable in the kitchen, and making food at home rather than going out to restaurants has had some positive effects on overall health. It’s a well-known fact that cooking for yourself is better for you than eating takeout or going to restaurants and since we’ve reverted to the 1950s-style cooking habits but with the additional aid of the internet and easy recipes, people have found a new definition of healthy eating within their homes.

2. Fitness Habits

When the gyms shut down, gym-goers everywhere were at a loss. Without the equipment and amenities of the gym, people struggled with their fitness routines and found it difficult to incorporate exercise into their new, sedentary lifestyle. However, at-home fitness exploded and with thousands of channels and workout options, people found that they were able to try new things and find new fitness options that enhanced flexibility, strength, and cardiovascular health. It forced everyone out of their habitual gym habits and as they looked elsewhere, they were able to try something new.

In addition, the at-home workout aspect showed people that there are hundreds of options for fitness that don’t require equipment or a gym membership. With these new options open to athletes who love the gym but sometimes find themselves wanting to skip or do something more low-key, this new at-home option is a great way people can continue to diversify their workout habits.

3. Mental Health Habits

This was a big one. With telehealth options expanding, therapy and psychology were suddenly more accessible and affordable to people all over the country. In addition, huge steps were taken towards ending the stigma of needing mental health care in an age where absolutely no one was doing okay. The combination of access and encouragement to reach for help gave people the opportunity to talk to a professional when previously, they may have thought they did not have the time or the need. COVID-19 took a toll on every single person on this planet and by extension, everyone realized that sometimes, you need to just ask for help understanding why you feel the way that you do.

Although no one would ever say that 2020 was a great year, the redefining of formerly narrow definitions from eating healthy to working out to going to therapy was a small victory in a year of challenges. As we continue to move forward people have learned that they can define healthy habits for themselves, incorporate new habits into their routines, and find a way to take care of themselves, even in the face of constant uncertainty.

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