How to Make a Better You – Five Tips on How to Stay Healthy During This Pandemic
by Nina Sabin - Healthy Tip
Every person around the world is probably thinking about Covid-19 and how to avoid contracting it. This is definitely a time in history no one will forget.
There have been so many suggested policies that have been posted from the governments all over the world.
So my question to you is how are you staying healthy? Are you taking the right precautions? Are you keeping yourself and others not only physically healthy but also emotionally and spiritually healthy?
Let’s start with physically healthy.
1) The news is saying STAY HOME. That is the best way to avoid the virus. This is even mentioned in the Bible - Exodus 12:22, 24 "None of you shall go out of the door of your house... Obey these instructions as a lasting ordinance for you and your descendants. However, in the US you are still seeing people congregating together, going to stores, going to public places. This virus can’t stop unless we all make the decision to help ourselves and our community by staying home unless you have an emergency. We can decide to make it work with what supplies we already have in the house. Most of us already made sure we had enough food and other necessary supplies for two weeks to a month. However, if you still need things, you have the option to order online, use curbside services, pickup services and have things delivered. There are also ways to clean all of the packaging that your food comes in. The current research shows that the virus not only stays on surfaces (any surface) for over two weeks, but it is also airborne. It hasn’t fully been determined how far the virus can carry in the air but MIT estimates the coronavirus and can travel up to 27 feet. So is social distancing of six feet enough? Not according to MIT. It appears that we will all continue to learn how this virus is spread.
2) Make sure you are moving and exercising. I know staying at home makes that more difficult. Exercising with online workout videos with others is a great way to stay in shape and also socialize. I have been doing this with friends on Google Hangout, Zoom, and House Party. You can share your screen which is a way you can watch the same video at the same time. Or start the video at the same time on your own devices. I even started a Socialize Distancing Total Body Workout Video and plan to do one weekly during this unusual time in society. Otherwise other ways to exercise are to take walks and bike rides. Just remember choose unpopulated areas.
The Bible says: “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies.” – 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 So remember your body matters to God.
3) Choose your food wisely. I know during this difficult time it is hard to eat the right foods. Many of us who stocked up probably made sure we had enough snack food, comfort food, sweets, etc. However, nourishing our body properly helps our mind, body and soul. Heavy, unhealthy, short term comforting food weighs us down and affects our mood. It might taste good for the moment, but in long run makes us feel pretty terrible. So how do we eat healthy during this crisis. Try to eat as much fruit and vegetables as you can. I know it is harder to stock up on produce, so when looking at frozen and canned vegetables and fruit read the ingredients and find ones with the least amount of chemicals. When you have a desire for something sweet, often it means your body needs more water, water is so essential and usually we don’t drink enough during a day. To truly have a healthy body you should drink at least half of your body weight in ounces. So for example if you weigh 120 pounds you should drink at least 60 ounces of water a day, that is 7.5 – 8 ounce cups of water per day. The best way to do this is having a 16 – 20-ounce bottle and makes sure you drink at least 3 – 4 full bottles full. So the next time you desire to have something sweet or unhealthy, drink you 16-ounce bottle first.
The Bible says: So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. – 1 Corinthians 10:31.
4) Spiritually nourish your soul during this pandemic. The news is filling our souls with information about the virus, but that is only causing worry, concern, and anxiety. Instead we need to full our souls with the truth, that God knows what is going on with this virus and He is in control. We don’t need to worry or fear, God’s has a plan. We may not understand right now what is going on in the world, but that is not God’s intention for us to understand. His goal is for us to TRUST HIM and know that HE IS GOD.
Today, I listened to a sermon that really filled my soul. I hope you will take the time to listen to it too. That is what we need to fill our soul, listen to worship music that encourages us, sermons that bring us wisdom during this time, read the Bible which is how God shows us His plan in our lives and words to live by, prayer and journaling also feed the soul. The news does not.
These two Bible verses bring me comfort during this unpredictable time:
Isaiah 55: 8 - 9 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, “declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
5) Stay Connected with Others. I know how hard it is to not be able to see family and friends in person. However, we are so blessed to be in the era where technology is booming. Talk to friends and family on video chat through Google Hangout, Zoom, Facebook Messenger, FaceTime, Skype, House-Party, etc. Most of them are free. Encourage each other as you get together. Try not to make everything you talk about related to the virus. Find other things to talk about, play games on line together, use the crazy effects that some of the communication sites have, read a devotional together or do a Bible study. Just enjoy being together.
With Easter coming up this is a great devotional you can share with your friends and family as you celebrate this holiday virtually. One other suggestion that my family has done every years is make Resurrection Cookies. This year as we are all in different places we are going to go on Facebook Messenger to read the Easter story as we make the cookies together in our own locations. I hope you can keep your traditions going this year through technology.
The Bible says: Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. – Thessalonians 5:11
So to Make a Better You – Stay healthy during this pandemic by: staying home, moving and exercising, choosing wisely what you eat, spiritually nourish your soul, and stay connected with others.
Contact me if you are struggling and need someone to walk by your side during this pandemic, As a healthy life coach I am able to give you the support and accountability you desire. I am also here to help you understand how important, especially during these uncertain times, how much you need God in your life. I am available to chat and pray with you. You can reach me at focusonfreedoms@gmail.com or directly on our contact page. I will respond within a 24 hours.