In the past few weeks, it has become clear that social distancing and quarantining are the new normal. This is an overwhelming time as we attempt to adjust our mindsets and schedules – between working from home, watching after the kids, keeping up with the news, and maintaining sanity, it can be a challenge to prioritize your physical and mental health. Here are some tips on how to stay active in these strange and unprecedented times. Make a plan. If you make it part of your routine, it’s always easier to commit to a healthy habit. At the beginning of each week, take a look at your schedule and find those windows where you could realistically squeeze in a workout. Set a reminder on your phone or even add the workout to your calendar to keep yourself accountable. Try a meal delivery service. Especially if you can’t get what you need from the grocery store, it may be difficult to cook healthy meals every day. Having healthy food delivered safely to your door can alleviate the hass
A healthy immune system is important at all times, but especially so in these days of the novel coronavirus and heightened awareness about the spread of germs. You can support a healthy immune system by eating well, exercising and getting plenty of sleep. Supplements with vitamins that support the immune system, such as vitamin D, may help, too. Sunlight remains a key source of vitamin D, but because people are less able to get outside, supplements may be increasingly beneficial. This is especially true for those who live in the northern hemisphere. As an immune- system support, vitamin D has the science to back up its potential. In 2017, the British Medical Journal published a meta-analysis of 25 studies in which vitamin D showed the potential to protect against acute respiratory tract infections, especially among individuals who were also deficient in vitamin D. In addition, Dr. Tom Frieden, former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said in an interview w