Omicron is one of the most contagious variants yet. Use these tips to stay healthy.
Take Care of your Mental Health
Poor mental health is linked to poor physical health. If you’re looking to stay as healthy as possible to avoid getting the latest Covid variant, it’s important to talk to your doctor about your mental health. The fact is, we’re heading into the third year of this pandemic. If your mental health is suffering… well of course it is! There is no shame in reaching out for help. Your doctor can run a blood panel for you to determine if your hormones are at appropriate levels. They can also help you manage your stress, anxiety and depression. Your doctor can also recommend a therapist if you need additional support. Take advantage of the resources your doctor can provide. You will feel so much better!
Proper Diet
During periods of increased stress, it’s easy to justify extra junk food and poor eating choices. If you find yourself turning to your comfort foods more often than you should, it might be time to get back on track with your eating. No food should be considered ‘bad’, but it’s important to be cognizant of your choices. Make sure you’re incorporating a lot of fruits, vegetables and protein into your diet. Take vitamins and prioritize your gut health. These simple actions can help keep you healthy.
Stay Active
Staying active is so much easier said than done. People frequently push exercise to the bottom of their to-do lists or ignore it altogether. However, neglecting to exercise is a poor choice for your overall health.
Prioritize a Full Night of Sleep
Don’t underestimate the benefits of a full night’s sleep. An article written by Joseph Jones and Janet Aker for health.mil further explains by saying, “According to The National Institutes of Health (NIH): “Immune system activation alters sleep, and sleep in turn affects the innate and adaptive arm of our body’s defense system.” While the amount of sleep needed for good health and optimum performance mostly depends on the individual, the CDC recommends adults age 18-60 get seven or more hours of sleep per night.”
Educate yourself on sleep techniques. For example, using your phone 30 minutes before bed and in the first 30 min after you wake up can disturb your REM sleep. The blue light emitted from your device actually suppresses melatonin and makes it harder to fall asleep. Lastly, using your phone keeps your mind psychologically engaged. Our phones were created to make us more productive. Because of this, your mind is trained to see a phone screen and be more alert and awake. When you look at your screen, your brain sends messages to your body that you should up making sleep more difficult to achieve. Familiarize yourself with good sleep techniques.
Omicron is highly contagious. Do everything in your power to avoid it. Use this information to help keep you as healthy as possible.
