As research is being conducted to find a solution to prevent, slow, or eliminate the coronavirus, thousands of Americans continue to contract the disease with a percentage of them losing their lives in the process. Though there is still a lot to learn about coronavirus, as with any medical condition or illness, those in the best health are often the safest. Healthy individuals have stronger immune systems which can prevent them from contracting the coronavirus, or, at the very least, give them a fighting chance if they should contract it.
Needless to say, it is highly recommended that Americans start taking the necessary steps to get their health in order. Continue reading for more information on how to best accomplish this:
Get the Scoop on Your Health
If you haven't been keeping up with your health, the best place to start is with your doctor. You need to find out what's going on internally so that you can make the most effective lifestyle changes to enhance your overall wellbeing. Not to mention, there are lots of people in the country who have undiagnosed medical conditions they weren't aware of.
So, if you can, schedule an appointment with your doctor to get a full workup of your health. If it's been a while since you've had any bloodwork done, you should also schedule an appointment to get checked for everything from diabetes to rare hereditary disorders to get a full picture of what's going on inside of you. If you've been experiencing any complications, it would also be wise to discuss these with your doctor so you can be further assessed as now is the time to be fully aware of where you stand as it pertains to your health.
Follow the Doctor's Orders
If it has been determined that you have a health condition, whether it's minor or major, be sure to follow the doctor's orders. Your immune system is essentially weakened as it tries to fight off whatever is going on inside of you which can reduce its ability to prevent or fight the coronavirus should you contract it. So, it is important to be diligent in following instructions. This means taking medications properly, scheduling and keeping appointments with specialists, and making the necessary fitness or dietary changes to take a load off your immune system and improve your health.
Kick Bad Habits
Though all the news about the coronavirus pandemic may tempt you to eat for comfort, grab a drink of alcohol, smoke a cigarette, or use other illicit drugs, this does nothing for your health. In fact, it increases your chances of contracting the coronavirus as well as other life-threatening conditions ranging from high blood pressure to cancer. Now is a good time to start working on kicking those bad habits.
If going cold turkey is something you can manage, then simply stop. On the other hand, if you need some assistance, there are medications, support groups, therapists, rehab centers, and other alternative and holistic approaches you can take to kicking those habits before they further deteriorate your health.
Get Active
Though most of the country has been strongly advised to shelter in place, this doesn't mean that you can't get daily exercise. Exercise is essential to building your immune system, reducing your risk of certain illnesses and diseases. Working out will also flush toxins from the body that cause disease, boost your mood, and help you maintain a healthy weight.
Going to the gym right now is out of the question, but there is more than one way to skin a cat. You can follow along to workout videos in your home, get outside for a nice run or brisk walk, play around with the kids in the backyard, or simply burn calories while tending to some much-needed chores around the house. As long as you're working out at least 5 times a week for 30 minutes to an hour, you're doing wonders for your overall health and well-being.
Change What You Eat
It's also time to change how you eat. Believe it or not, with current conditions, this could be the perfect time to start. Cooking nutritious meals at home will not only improve your waistline but can boost your mood, improve your immune system, and ease or even eliminate symptoms of certain health conditions. Eating more green leafy vegetables, fresh fruits, and lean proteins is highly recommended while scaling back on foods high in fat, salt, and sugar is advised. Start looking up healthy recipes, creating meal plans, and prepping in advance to make this transition easier.
Studies are still being developed to better understand the coronavirus and, ultimately, find a cure. Other than staying home, going out only for essential shopping, wearing face masks, and practicing social distancing when in public, it would be ideal for Americans to take this "downtime" as an opportunity to get their health intact. Though it is not a foolproof solution, it does greatly reduce your chances of contracting the virus and increase your chances of beating it should you get it.
