7 Ways You Can Stay Healthy During Quarantine

Life has changed dramatically in 2020. So many things have become disrupted in ways we couldn’t have imagined a year ago.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, most of us transitioned from moving through life at a rapid pace – working demanding jobs and shuffling our kids around from appointment to appointment – to working at home. Homeschooling, unemployed spouses, and kids moving home altered our routine, fairly predictable lives.

Other things that we once took for granted, such as grabbing coffee or attending a church service, shifted. Tragically, some of us have become sick or lost loved ones during this pandemic.

Negative Feelings Can Accompany Quarantine

Along with these changes came an increased amount of stress, fear, and anxiety. Social distancing created isolation and loneliness, which only intensified anxiety and stress.^[1]
For almost everyone, quarantining has become a reality during this pandemic. Being required to separate and unable to interact with others can create many unpleasant feelings, including:

Post-traumatic stress symptoms
Confusion
Anger
Frustration
Boredom
Fear ^[2]

The important thing is to acknowledge these feelings. Avoiding them or masking them with something like alcohol will only make them persist. Everyone is feeling a sense of unease today. Accepting that uncomfortable reality can become a real strength.

Resiliency is a trait that helps people cope with difficult times. Being resilient doesn’t mean that you don’t struggle or ask for help. Even during incredibly challenging times such as this pandemic, resilient people stay strong and embrace difficult situations with determination and focus.^[3]

Everyone Responds Differently to Challenging Situations

For some people, challenges like quarantining can become opportunities to learn new skills or become stronger mentally and physically. You’ve probably seen people on social media who learned a new language or started a new business during this pandemic.

While admirable, for many others the challenges of this pandemic can be obstacles that feel difficult or overwhelming.

If you’ve been struggling during this pandemic, you’re not alone. If you feel hopeless, isolated, or suicidal, please seek professional help. You never need to go through major life changes alone. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has compiled a list of helpful sources here that can be especially helpful during this pandemic.

7 Ways to Stay Healthy During this Pandemic

Many things feel uncertain right now, but one way to stay resilient during this pandemic is to take control of what you can. Your health is an excellent way to start. How you eat, move, think, and live can empower you and help you thrive. These seven strategies form a strong foundation to stay healthy and mentally balanced during this difficult time.

Indulge smartly. You’ve probably heard about the “quarantine 15.” When you feel increased stress, you might be tempted to reach for something sweet as comfort. Unfortunately, the repercussions of a diet high in sugary, processed foods can hurt your immune system. You don’t need to totally abstain from sweet, delicious foods. Our Protein Packed Brownies satisfy your sweet tooth without that energy-draining aftermath that sugary snacks can create.
Get the right nutrients. Foods in our Core and Advanced Plans provide the vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that the body requires to thrive during challenging times. Research shows that the omega-3 fatty acids in foods like wild-caught seafood can support a healthy brain and help manage mood disorders such as depression.^[4]
Find community. Now more than ever, we need support and love. If you can’t connect in person, phone, Skype, or FaceTime your family and friends. Reach out to loved ones who are older or have compromised immune systems, many of whom might feel especially isolated during this time. This is also a great time to reconnect with your family through fun activities.
Dial in your sleep. Not getting quality sleep can create or increase feelings like irritability and stress that are already heightened in quarantine. Conversely, you feel more balanced and focused when you get a great night’s sleep.^[5] Aim for eight hours of solid, uninterrupted sleep every night. Sleep + Mood Formula can help you safely fall and stay asleep.
Focus on fitness. A good workout can boost your feel-good endorphins that support mental wellbeing. Gyms aren’t an option for many people right now. We created our Max T3 to provide a powerful, effective, full-body workout that you can do in your own home in just 12 minutes.
Cultivate an optimistic mindset. “Optimism isn’t about ignoring negative feelings. It’s about being hopeful about the future, even when the present seems wholly negative,” says Kristin Wong in the New York Times. Mindset is a muscle that you can build, especially during challenging times. Learn more about how to create and maintain a healthy mindset in this blog.
Visit your chiropractor. Chronic stress can interfere with the body’s ability to function properly. Over time, this persistent stress can contribute to nearly every disease.^[6] A chiropractor’s goal is to eliminate whatever interferes with keeping the body from achieving wellness. Chiropractic care can also provide individualized eating, exercise, lifestyle, and mindset strategies that keep you resilient and healthy through this pandemic and beyond. Now, more than ever, we can benefit from chiropractic care! Click here to find a chiropractor near you.