Healthy lifestyle: A shield to COVID-19

 It’s the time of stress and uncertainty which makes it easy to fall into bad health habits. This can make our immunity system weak which makes it easier to get COVID infected. Insecurity of jobs, uncertain future, and social media floods increases our anxiety to which stress is a normal response leading to sleep and eating disorders, low motivation and also might lead to the change of use alcohol, drugs, and other addictions. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle makes an invisible shield around us and helps to fight against not only COVID but also many other diseases. Both mental and physical health is important to deal with any kind of difficulties which can only be gained by following healthy lifestyle habits.

We all have our own lifestyle choices. Wearing makeup, going to the salon or gym daily, wearing costly dresses, going to 5star restaurants and pubs, owning expensive gadgets and pieces of jewelry are not indications of a healthy or happening lifestyle.  Below are some good health habits for a healthy lifestyle:

We all know '''Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise''' and should also maintain this. Besides maintaining the safety measures and workout routine, we should must adopt a proper diet routine too. Most of us have a misconception about dieting i.e. not having food or having less quantity of food maintaining which gradually leads to malnutrition. Dieting means maintaining a balanced diet that includes various food items in certain quantities and proportions, in order to meet all the requirements of our body for calories, proteins, vitamins, minerals, etc. While coming to the food, preparation is the main key. Much consumption of spicy food can affect our liver, heart, and other organs as well. Nothing much is good and the same goes with the meat but consuming twice a week does no harm. We do have a thought that only the consumption of meat can fulfill our need for protein which is a myth.  Going vegan increases the chance of being more healthy and fit. Try to avoid instant, fast foods from outside and to prepare at home. Visit the “OUR RECIPES” section for various vegan healthy restaurant-like tasty food recipes.

60% of our body is made up of water and the brain is made up of 73% of that total water so, it is very important to stay hydrated. We should drink 6-8 glasses of water daily. We can also add lemon, ginger, or mint for flavor as they are good for digestion. We can also consume fruit or vegetable juice as they contain nutrition but diabetic patients should consult a doctor before consuming it as it is also rich in sugar.

We humans can make out for a certain time without food but not without sleep. In our routine change sleep is often the first thing to get hampered. We should keep a sleep pattern to ensure a sufficient quantity of sleep i.e. 6-8 hours at night that is generally suggested by the physicians. A tight sleep at night not only boosts our immunity power but also helps to gain good mental health by getting rid of stress, depression, etc.  One suffering from insomnia, i.e. struggle to get to sleep should see a doctor as soon as possible besides can go for medications and music therapy for relaxation.

In these tough times, we often make unhealthy choices as we all are full of different emotions and feelings. And sometimes we cannot handle these emotions and get carried away but here’s nothing to worry about as the famous K-drama says “It’s ok not to be ok”. All we need is a little personal space to understand ourselves better and should try to reach out to our friends and families for support if needed as they feel the same way as we do. No matter what we should never be harsh on ourselves because it doesn’t matter how many people are trying to help us if we don’t help ourselves.

N.B.: Must consult a nutritionist or any physician before following any diet routine.

WHO’s Five keys to safer food:

• Keep clean
• Separate raw and cooked
• Cook thoroughly
• Keep food at safe temperatures
• Use safe water and raw materials.