Beyond the Mask: Everyday Choices Can Help Protect You from COVID-19

The world has changed. You wake up, you get dressed, put your shoes on, and you hit a wall. Not literally. We have a different blog for that. This wall stops you dead in your tracks and forces you to ask “what can I do even do today?”

That wall is the COVID-19 Pandemic, and it has changed how many of us approach our daily lives - from work to play. Sure, you can still get by with some of your daily routine – but perhaps you go through it with little to no contact, while wearing a facemask, or not at all.

In times that feel so limiting, what if we told you there’s a way to still enjoy the things you love while also staying safe from COVID-19?

What Healthy Choices are there During COVID-19?

Despite current limitations, there are simple pleasures we can all embrace, and they’re hiding right in front of us – both duties and distractions you might have taken for granted once upon a time:

• Exercising
• Grocery Shopping
• Eating Right

Nothing like a global pandemic to shine a new light on what used to be mundane mandatories – which you can now make into mental health magic. Let’s unpack them, shall we?

Working Out Helps You Stay Healthy and Safe During COVID-19.

The pandemic should not limit our need to move and get exercise – neither should a gym. Let the world be yours.

COVID-19 spreads primarily in close-contact situations. If you’re within 6 feet of someone or in an enclosed space with poor ventilation for instance. The droplets that we routinely exhale or expel when we cough can linger in the air for minutes to hours.

When you’re outside, it’s literally a breath of fresh air. Those droplets have a far less chance of reaching you and that’s due to the air constantly moving. You can lessen their reach when you’re moving, too. Whether it be something as simple as walking or running to something a little more complex like skateboarding.

The Mayo Clinic says outdoor activities are more vital now as they can improve your mental and physical health in these trying times.

Just pair that with healthy eating and you have a true recipe for stability. But what if grocery shopping itself doesn’t seem safe?

Checkout These Safe COVID-19 Grocery Shopping Tips.

You’ve already got your grocery list. Here’s another one, focusing on what will keep you protected against COVID spread:

If you’re hesitant or don’t wish to go out and buy groceries, here’s your first step to consider: don’t go. That’s right. Don’t go. Consider delivery or pickup options. Nearly all stores offer these options and It’s as easy as using your computer or mobile device to order.

If you plan to take matters, and groceries, into your own hands, check for the store’s low-traffic hours. Fewer people mean less risk for contact.

Bring reusable bags. And, if you do that, wash them frequently. They might only be used to carry your personal items – but they can carry your personal germs, too.

Wear a mask. We know the title of this article says ‘beyond the mask’ but it’s still important.

Wash your hands before and after you shop. That way you aren’t bringing any germs in, and you’re removing the ones you may collect with picking from the shelves.

Use sanitizing wipes and stations. Your hands are filthy. That’s not an insult. It’s the human condition. Wipes and sanitizer are everywhere. Employees work hard to keep these bad boys stocked, so the least you could do is give your hands a courtesy wipe or squirt before you grab a door or basket handle.

Pay with a credit or debit card. Dirty money has a whole new meaning in the pandemic. Eliminating the need to exchange bills and coins allows you to limit the spread of germs.

In times where dangers can be found inside your local grocery store, the real battle is within ourselves: we have to consider what we’re eating.

Healthy Eating Choices During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

You don’t need us to tell you what’s healthy to eat and what isn’t. We know you might prefer the crunch of a Dorito to an apple. However, while chips and other treats might seem like your friends with their tasty, sodium-rich flavor, they can actually hurt you.

A real friend wouldn’t do that.

Overdoing it on high amounts of sodium, sugar, caffeine, and alcohol can cause sluggishness and can ramp up stress and anxiety.

With that being said, it’s a question of moderation.

You can still enjoy those colorful foods. But you have got to balance them with foods that contain more natural sugars, proteins, vitamins, and whole grains. This will revitalize your body and your mind. They’ll give you the natural energy and focus you want so you can be happy and accomplish your goals with a clear head.

WARNING: You can overdo it on healthy foods too. Yup. Watching what you eat is important, but you also have to be mindful of how much you’re eating.

Be wary of “stress snacking”.

If you feel the need to eat under pressure or boredom, take a couple of deep breaths and ask yourself, “Am I really hungry?” A good way to combat this is by developing your own daily routine. Set aside certain times of the day to enjoy your meals and take the stress off when you need to eat next.

After going over these lists, you probably feel like stress snacking. It’s daunting to see all the prep work it takes to achieve basic human needs versus what it used to. Some of you might be wondering when COVID will end.

Well, the end begins with us.

Is The End to COVID-19 in Sight?

According to Greater Than Covid, humanity’s greatest chance to beat the coronavirus is by receiving the covid-19 vaccine.

Shaquita Bell, MD, states that, “we don’t need the vaccine to be at 100% [effectiveness] to make an infection die. [To get rid of coronavirus] we need as many people as possible to get the vaccine.”

This is crucial so that the virus can’t jump from person to person, she says. Soon, it won’t have anywhere to go. She relates the COVID vaccine to the smallpox vaccine. It wasn’t 100% effective against the disease, but enough people took it that it was, eventually, completely eradicated.

Only by working together can we put an end to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Own Your Future Through Healthy Choices.

Whether you’re vaccinated or not, there are still ways to enjoy life during difficult times. There are safe ways to exercise outside, shop for healthy food, eat right and even travel outside your state - You can read up on our blog that lists current COVID-19 travel updates and recommendations.

It’s no secret that the world has changed, and it can be a bit scary. However, with the right knowledge by your side, there isn’t anything you can’t achieve. Whether it’s pushing yourself with a strong workout, venturing out to your local grocery store, or fueling up with the right foods. All you have to do is wake up, get dressed, put your shoes on and knock down that wall.