How to Stay Physically and Mentally Healthy at Home
The pandemic has transformed every aspect of our lives. From social distancing to stay-at-home orders, our world has been transformed.
While there are a lot of things that are beyond our control, there are a few things that we can do to make a difference. One of those is to stay healthy both physically and mentally. You can easily do this by discovering how to workout at home. In addition, following some useful guidelines will help you take care of your mental health as well.
Guide to Physical Health During Stay-at-Home Orders
How to Workout at Home
Fortunately, you don’t need a gym to workout. There are plenty of exercise videos available online that you can use to discover how to workout at home. Once you establish a solid fitness routine at home, you’ll realize you can get in a good workout without going to the gym.
In addition to cardio, yoga can be a form of activity that can help you relax and reduce stress while staying at home.
Remember, you can enjoy outdoor activities, such as walking or biking, along the local trails as long as you practice social distancing.
But remember, with outside exercise, there are a few caveats.
Team sports are forbidden and you should remain six feet from those around you at all times. As a reminder, only gatherings of 10 people or less are allowed.
Sports that require physical contact or touching of equipment by multiple people should be avoided.
Remember to Eat Well
When you’re stressed, it’s just too easy to fall back on “comfort food,” some of which isn’t good for you.
If you have questions, you can get in touch with our registered dietitian, Nicole Matala who will be happy to help you establish good eating habits. Please give her a call!
If you have questions about Wake County’s stay-at-home order, we encourage you to take a look at these frequently asked questions.
Take Medication as Directed
As a reminder, our offices and pharmacies are allowed to remain open, because they are essential services. During a time of stress and uncertainty, it can be challenging to take medications as directed but it is vital that you continue to do so.
As always, if you’re having problems related to your medication, or if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. We’re here to assist you in any way we can.
Taking Care of Your Mental Health During the Pandemic
Everyone responds to stress differently.
During the pandemic, the constant worry and anxiety can take its toll on your mental health. Social distancing, especially from loved ones, can have a huge impact on our well-being.
We want to outline a few ways that you can safeguard your mental health during this difficult time.
5 TIPS FOR SUPPORTING YOUR MENTAL HEALTH
1. Limit the amount of news that you watch.
While there’s nothing wrong with staying informed, too much news can lead to information overload. In turn, this can create even more anxiety.
2. Limit the use of social media.
Social media can be a great way to stay in touch, but it is often a source of misinformation. Even if your well-meaning friend tells you something is true, we encourage you to take anything you hear on social media with a grain of salt.
At the end of this article, we’ve outlined some reliable sources of information that can help you.
3. Stay in touch with those you love.
It can be difficult to stay in touch with friends and family when you’re socially isolated. However, doing so will let you know that you are not alone in this crisis. In addition to email, we suggest video conferencing software, texting or calling. You might even want to write a letter.
4. Talk about your feelings with someone you trust.
It’s important to know that your worries and concerns about the pandemic are normal, and many others are experiencing the same anxiety and worry. Talking with a friend, family member, counselor or clergy member can help your mental health.
Many therapists, counselors and clergy members can arrange virtual office visits through conferencing software.
5. Practice meditation.
We’ve already mentioned the benefits of yoga and meditation for your physical health, but it also has positive effects on your mental state as well.
Not sure where to begin? Find a quiet area of your house, get comfortable, and take slow, deep breaths. You might want to follow this handy guide to meditation to get started.
As always, if you have concerns over your mental health, we encourage you to talk to us. We are just as concerned about your mental health as we are your physical health. If you are experiencing anxiety so severe that it interferes with your daily tasks for several days in a row, then we can refer you to a counselor or specialist who can help.
EVERYTHING WE DO IS CENTERED AROUND YOUR HEALTH AND SAFETY
We know these times are challenging in many ways. To ensure the health of our patients and employees, we have adjusted our office policies. We are still available to take care of all your primary care needs.
We will provide telehealth services through ZOOM for all existing patients (except for select emergent conditions). As an extra precaution, all those with respiratory illnesses are screened through telehealth services.
We also offer drive-thru COVID-19 testing for patients who meet screening guidelines.
As always, face-to-face visits are also available.
We encourage you to send a message to your provider through our secure patient portal.
Most major insurance companies will pay for telehealth visits.
Want to know more about telemedicine? We’ve got all the information you need to make the most out of your visit.) [link to article when published]
We are always available and ready to stand by you during this difficult time.
Contact us to schedule an appointment.
