Author: Suzanne Robb

These are uncertain times. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to ravage the country, people from all areas and walks of life are asking one big question: “how do I protect myself and my family from this disease?” and “How do I stay healthy during COVID”

Luckily, the answer isn’t complicated. While there’s no way to eliminate your risk of getting COVID-19, you can take proactive steps to reduce your exposure and boost your immune system. In fact, simple things like eating well, moving your body, and adopting a meditation practice can go a long way to helping you stay healthy in the face of this virus and others.

Here’s what you need to know.

The Importance of Movement

You know that ample physical activity is essential for many reasons. Not only does it stave off excess weight gain, but it keeps your muscles and bones strong, your body limber, and your stress levels at bay. Did you know, though, that physical activity also boosts your immune system?

According to Harvard Health,

Just like a healthy diet, exercise can contribute to general good health and, therefore, to a healthy immune system. It may contribute even more directly by promoting good circulation, which allows the cells and substances of the immune system to move through the body freely and do their job efficiently.

To reap the health-boosting benefits of exercise, start small. Even though most gyms are closed right now, there are dozens of digital fitness classes and at-home workouts to take advantage of. If you’d prefer to go it alone, dust off that old exercise equipment and give your at-home free weights, treadmill, or exercise bike a spin, it doesn’t matter quite so much what you’re doing, as long as you’re getting your heart rate up and moving your body.

Prioritizing Sleep

Sleep is the foundation of a healthy lifestyle. If you are looking to stay healthy during COVID, regardless of whether you’re training for an Iron Man or just hoping to be more productive at the office, nothing functions the way it should without healthy, restful sleep. Especially during times of uncertainty, sleep is critical to your overall health and wellbeing.

According to the Mayo Clinic:

“Lack of sleep can affect your immune system. Studies show that people who don’t get quality sleep or enough sleep are more likely to get sick after being exposed to a virus, such as a common cold virus. Lack of sleep can also affect how fast you recover if you do get sick.”

In addition to bolstering the immune system, sleep also contributes to a healthy memory, enhanced mood, and higher energy levels throughout the day.

You are What you Eat

If you’re an athlete, you know how important diet is to your overall well being. If you’re trying not to get sick, though, the importance of eating well skyrockets. During the COVID-19 pandemic, most of us have had more time on our hands, and some people have turned to unhealthy, mindless eating to pass the time. Unfortunately, this does nothing to help the body fight or avoid the virus.

To ensure optimal health, and stay healthy during COVID, it’s essential to think about eating whole foods, reducing meat intake, limiting processed foods, and making sure there are always enough plants on your plate. If your diet up to this point hasn’t exactly been wholesome, don’t worry. It’s not too late to make some changes. According to The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine:

Eating a low-fat, plant-based diet may help give the immune system a boost. The immune system relies on white blood cells that produce antibodies to combat bacteria, viruses, and other invaders. Vegetarians have been shown to have more effective white blood cells when compared to nonvegetarians, due to a high intake of vitamins and low intake of fat.

Focusing intentionally on clean eating allows you to give your body the fuel it needs to stay healthy and to avoid creating problems like weight gain during the quarantine.

Meditate Your Way to Immunity

One excellent way to support all of your other attempts at healthy living is meditation. Not only does meditation promote healthy, restful sleep, but it’s a great way to cope with stress and anxiety. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health:

Meditation is a mind and body practice that has a long history of use for increasing calmness and physical relaxation, improving psychological balance, coping with illness, and enhancing overall health and wellbeing. Many studies have been conducted to look at how meditation may be helpful for a variety of conditions, such as high blood pressure, certain psychological disorders, and pain. Several studies also have helped researchers learn how meditation might work and how it affects the brain.

If you’ve never meditated before, don’t worry. You don’t need to move to India, and you definitely don’t need to devote your whole life to the practice. Today, there are many apps and programs that make it easy to incorporate some mindfulness into your daily life. We like Headspace and Calm, specifically. For best results, start with just 10 minutes of mindfulness practice a day. Before you know it, you’ll be a meditation machine.

How Alloy Is Staying Healthy

If you’re looking for ways to boost your immunity, handle stress in a healthy way, and cope with all the side effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Alloy is here for you. In addition to offering digital classes for our clients, we’re going the extra mile for our franchisees, as well.

We have been taking proactive measures by adopting the top of the line approved cleaning methods. We have also been taking social distancing very seriously by not sharing workout space or equipment. With a few states starting to open we understand that not everyone shares the same point of view and we respect that.

The Alloy team has been doing their best to have fun during work Zoom meetings. We make each other laugh, dressing in costumes, and keeping things lighthearted. While we can’t control what’s going on in the environment around us, we believe in taking hold of what we can control.

Alloy’s team has a great, fun-loving energy about them, and we’re proud to be using technology like our App to extend some of that lightheartedness to our franchisees, our clients, and our partners. Ready to learn more about the Alloy team or mission? Visit us today!

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