People who are fully vaccinated have excellent protection against COVID-19, particularly against severe illness. This means that they are less likely to experience severe symptoms, hospitalization, and death from the disease. This level of protection also extends to reducing the risk of transmission to others.
With this high level of protection, fully vaccinated individuals can resume many activities and events that were previously impacted by the pandemic. From attending concerts and sporting events to dining at restaurants and traveling, these people can once again enjoy many of the social and leisure activities that were put on hold for over a year.
However, even though things are opening up, it’s understandable that all of these changes can be stressful for some people. The pandemic has had a profound impact on everyone, and adjusting to a new normal can be challenging. People may be feeling overwhelmed by the number of decisions they have to make, or they may be apprehensive about being in large crowds again. Some may also be struggling with financial or emotional stress caused by the pandemic.
Regardless of the reasons, it’s important for everyone to take care of their physical, mental and emotional health during this time of transition.
Here are seven ways to prioritize your health and feel your best:
Take care of your skin: Some dermatologist recommend this simple morning routine for a fresh and healthy complexion:
- Use a gentle cleanser
- Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher
- Moisturize
Reduce stress: It’s important to check in with your mental health and assess your stress levels. Signs of high stress can include gastrointestinal symptoms, headaches, trouble sleeping, respiratory problems, and more. To lower stress levels, make time for self-care activities that allow you to relax and slow down, such as bubble baths, gardening, walks, fishing, or golf.
Exercise more: If you’ve fallen out of an exercise routine, don’t worry! Gradually ease back into a schedule by stretching before and after workouts, starting with outdoor activities like running or cycling, and using your own body weight for exercises like dips, squats, planks, and push-ups.
Get adequate sleep: Blue light from screens before bedtime can disrupt your sleep by decreasing melatonin production, making it harder to fall asleep. To improve sleep, avoid screens for at least an hour before bed and silence or turn off your phone. If you’re unable to fall asleep, engage in a quiet activity like reading in another room, and associate your bed only with sleep.
Eat a healthy diet: Food provides fuel for a healthy immune system and body. To feel your best, try incorporating new fruits and vegetables that can help reduce inflammation, such as apples, berries, tomatoes, celery, and onions. Add sources of omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, walnuts, and chia seeds, and limit processed foods high in salt.
Allow for grieving: It’s normal to experience loss and grief after the challenges of the past year, including the loss of loved ones to COVID-19 and changes to daily life. Give yourself space to process these feelings and find meaning in your grief.
Seek help if needed: If you need support for your health and well-being, help is available. Consider seeing a primary care provider or specialist, and seek care from medical experts for specific needs, such as mental health, sports medicine, sleep studies, or weight management.
In conclusion, putting your health first is crucial to feeling your best. From taking care of your skin to getting enough sleep, making small changes in your daily routine can have a big impact on your overall well-being. Additionally, seeking help when necessary and allowing yourself space to grieve are also important aspects of self-care. Whether you need assistance with physical or mental health concerns, there are many resources available to support you. With these seven tips, you can prioritize your health and live your best life!
