Where has summer gone? It seems like just yesterday we were starting to feel the warmth of the summer sun. And with the pandemic and everything else going on in the world we were forced to miss out on doing many of our favorite activities including travel. As hints of the fall season begin to surface, we need to do what we can to ward off the possibilities of getting sick. Homeschooling kids and working are remotely are a good start. Here is a list of 10 ways to stay healthy this fall.
1. Wear a face mask
Not everyone agrees with wearing a mask but it is the most obvious way to stay healthy this fall. Multiple experts have come forward saying that masks are the most effective way to slow the pandemic, protect yourself, and protect others. Wearing a face mask is not exactly comfortable but it’s easiest and most effective way to keep yourself healthy
2. Exercise
It will be a challenge to stay active in the fall once the weather cools down, but it could be of great benefit to you. Yoga, running are just a few great ways to boost your body’s immune system.
3. Get lots of sleep
The fall is when school starts back up for most and it can be hard to keep a sleep schedule going when you have to fulfill school work and perhaps a job, even if it’s remote.
4. Supplements
Supplements are a great way to boost your immunity slightly or remedy any deficiencies in your diet. While supplements are definitely not the answer to making your immune system more powerful, they do have benefits. Vitamins, A, C, D and trace minerals such as zinc have also shown favorable immune-modulatory effects in viral respiratory infections.
5. Eat right
If you are concerned about getting the right amount of vitamins and nutrients, your diet is the best place to start. Food can often provide much higher quality vitamins than daily supplements. Eating a balanced diet is the best way to keep your body in tip-top shape. Yes, you can still enjoy a pumpkin spice latte.
6. Mental health
Mental health is equally as important as physical health. The same way to look after your physical health and avoid dangerous situations, you need to protect your psyche. Make sure you are taking the steps to practice self-care. This can be anything that brings you peace. Prayer and meditation are particularly great ways to put your mind at ease. This is a stressful time where life is more uncertain than it has ever been for most of us. Preserving your mental health is key to preserving overall health.
7. Social distancing
Another cornerstone in protecting yourself from COVID-19, social distancing is key to protect yourself from people who may be carrying the virus or preventing you from infecting others if you are an asymptomatic carrier. It’s not easy to be so distant from our fellow humans as people are biologically wired to be social creatures. But right now, it’s imperative we continue to practice social distancing to stay healthy. Lucky for us, we live in a time where we can stay virtually connected through the internet, so you are still more than able to maintain social contact.
8. Disinfect your environment frequently
Disinfecting your living space is imperative to making sure that the surfaces you touch are free of contaminants. WebMD reports that COVID-19 can survive 5 days on metal and 4 days on wood, two very common surfaces in a living space. Using disinfectant wipes, like Clorox, can ensure that these surfaces are as clean as possible. Another surface that MUST be disinfected frequently is your cell phone. Your phone touches surfaces all day, then you pick it up with your hands, and then you put it to your face. This creates a huge risk of picking up a virus, whether it be the flu or COVID-19. Getting in the habit of frequently disinfecting is imperative as the threat of flu and COVID-19 will increase rapidly in the fall.
9. Wash your hands
Just like you disinfect surfaces, you must “disinfect” your hands. Luckily, COVID-19 can be killed with regular hand soap, even if it’s not anti-bacterial. To stay healthy this fall, you need to continue to be serious about washing your hands frequently throughout the day. We all touch our faces throughout the day and if your hands are carrying a virus, once you touch your face, the risk of being infected becomes heightened. Washing your hands will ensure your hands are clean and free of all contaminants.
10. Hydrate
Your body needs water and too often, we choose to go for a soda, a coffee, or tea. Nothing is better for your body than water, and keeping your body hydrated is key to staying healthy this fall.
