The number of vaccinated Americans continues to grow, and with it, a semblance of normal life is beginning to take shape. Crowds at baseball games are growing, and various events are happening in different parts of the country.
Mayor Bill de Blasio of New York City, once the epicenter of the pandemic in America, has announced that the city plans to fully reopen on July 1.
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Reopening is a great sign. They also present a great opportunity for a health reboot. The last 13 months have been a long haul. Now it’s time to start thinking about ways to re-engage your health. Here is how to get started:
Check-and Track-Your Numbers: It’s a good time to take account of your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar. You can check blood pressure at home, but cholesterol and blood sugar will require a trip to the doctor.
People were generally less healthy during the lockdown, so these numbers may be all out of whack. Keep track and come up with a plan to restore some normalcy.
Get On Top of Mental Health: A lot of bad has happened. Whether it’s lost friends and relatives, job loss, social isolation, the news cycle, or other major stressful events that shaped 2020, take stock of how it made you feel and that your mental health has taken a hit.
Surveys suggest self-reported depression and anxiety have increased during the pandemic. Consider talking to a professional—whether in person or virtually—to help you get through the darkness.
If friends and family are also vaccinated, you may be able to safely re-engage socialization.
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Prioritize Movement: Shelter-in-place orders added inches to waistlines. Some data suggests they led to about an extra half-pound of weight gain every 10 days. Weight gain can lead to obesity, which boosts the risk for heart disease, type-2 diabetes, and more.
If you’re vaccinated and your local gym or community center is allowing vaccinated patrons, this is the perfect time to learn to work out or take that fitness class you’ve always envisioned.
You can also get outside. Resuming outdoor activities can help you get in shape, just be sure to take proper precautions. If you’re not fully vaccinated, continue to wear a mask outdoors. And remember, always follow and adhere to public health guidelines.
About eight years ago, Mat Lecompte had an epiphany. He’d been ignoring his health and suddenly realized he needed to do something about it. Since then, through hard work, determination and plenty of education, he has transformed his life. He’s changed his body composition by learning the ins and outs of nutrition, exercise, and fitness and wants to share his knowledge with you. Starting as a journalist over 10 years ago, Mat has not only honed his belief system and approach with practical experience, but he has also worked closely with nutritionists, dieticians, athletes, and fitness professionals. He embraces natural healing methods and believes that diet, exercise and willpower are the foundation of a healthy, happy, and drug-free existence.
