Are you in, or are you out? Of the office, we mean! In our current global climate, plans seem to be changing from one day to the next. But chances are, some of you may be making the move to head back into an office environment, which means you might be asking the question: “What can I do to stay healthy?”
While we don’t have all the answers, we do have some great tips and tricks for making sure you reenter the workplace with your best foot forward.
CHECK YOUR VITAMIN LEVELS
Have you seen companies peddling the Covid-19 “cure-all” supplement goody bags? We say, stay away. Because there’s no magic pill (or pills) that work for everyone. However, there are vitamins and minerals that are essential to a healthy, well-functioning immune system, and sometimes we can be deficient in these. Some of the key deficiencies to check for are D, C, and zinc as these all play a role in immune function. A simple blood test can check your levels and indicate whether supplementation is beneficial for you or not. As always, check with your doctor before starting any new supplementation plan.
USE THE STAIRS!
According to the World Health Organization, “Regular physical activity… can reduce high blood pressure, help manage weight and reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and various cancers – all conditions that can increase susceptibility to COVID-19.”
We’re guessing the walk from your bedroom to your home office isn’t very far, which means you might not have been getting as much cardiovascular fitness in as you should this last year or so. And you know you’ve been telling yourself you’ll start using the stairs instead of getting in the elevator for a long time, so now’s as good a time as any to commit to that. Still working from home? Throw a few sets of jumping jacks in between meetings!
EAT (and drink) FOR HEALTH
Did you know that what you eat (and drink) can impact your body’s ability to fight off infections? Not only does a healthy diet support your immune system, it can also make a difference in your chances of developing health issues such as obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and more. Think about what you’re putting in your body and whether it is helpful or harmful in terms of your overall health. That high sugar soda? Not helpful. A cup of liquid gold, erm, we mean bone broth? Far more helpful. With health-promoting amino acids such as glycine and glutamine, it’s more than just a tasty drink. Also think about how many different kinds of whole foods you consume in a week (the key being, the wider the variety, the better.)
MANAGE STRESS
It’s no longer just a theory: stress is scientifically proven to suppress your immune system. “When we’re stressed, the immune system’s ability to fight off antigens is reduced. That is why we are more susceptible to infections.
The stress hormone corticosteroid can suppress the effectiveness of the immune system.” So rather than just a nice-to-have, stress management tools are essential to keep our immune systems up and running and fighting fit. Ironically, just talking and thinking about Covid-19 can make us stressed, so one of the first things to look at is how much negative news you are consuming. Try reading your news once a day to stay up to speed rather than keeping cable news programs on repeat in the background. And attempt to do at least one thing a day that helps you relax, whether that’s a guided meditation or simply a walk in the park.
Even if you’re not heading back into an office, all the above are valuable reminders of simple things we can do everyday to stay in optimal health, no matter what challenges come our way.
