Top Tips for Staying Healthy as Lockdown Restrictions Ease

Tags – Tips for Staying Healthy as Lockdown Restrictions Ease

As lockdown restrictions begin to ease and we slowly get back to our normal lives, a lot of us are enjoying meeting up with family and friends, eating at restaurants, going to the gym again and more.

Whilst this is a nice change to staying at home, keeping on top of healthy habits may be a little challenging.

For many of us, lockdown was a chance to take a break from our busy lives, and many people found they now had time to exercise and focus on healthy cooking.

However, now that things are opening again, it can be quite easy to slip back into old habits.

Nevertheless, we should be making changes to our lifestyle and maintain healthy habits we picked up over the year.

Here are our top 5 tips for staying healthy as lockdown restrictions ease.

1. Stay Active

Lots of people took up simple exercises such as walking during lockdown as there was really nothing else to do, in terms of staying active.

With gyms now opening, people have started taking their new love for fitness to the gym in an effort to be healthier.

However, if you don’t feel confident enough to join but enjoy walks, then carry on with these even as restrictions ease – whether it be morning, afternoon or evening, a quick walk will be highly beneficial to your health.

And, if you’re back in the office and work on the top floor example, consider taking the stairs rather than using the lift.

As restrictions ease, you may feel you don’t have the time to exercise anymore, but being active doesn’t require hours of exercise.

In fact, short bursts of activity, like HIIT workouts are easy to incorporate into your daily routine and can go a long way in improving your general health.

2. Be Mindful of Alcohol

Now that pubs, bars and restaurants are opening again, it seems a social summer is on the cards and for many of us, this gives us more opportunities to drink alcohol.

Of course, alcohol in small amounts is OK, but it’s important to remember that it has a direct impact on our weight.

For instance, alcohol contains a lot of extra calories, plus when we reach our tipping point, we tend to make poor choices when it comes to food.

In addition, drinking alcohol lowers the quality of your sleep and can indirectly cause weight gain; poor sleep increases cravings for junk food and decreases our energy the next day.

3. Sleep Well

As mentioned briefly, poor sleep can indirectly cause weight gain.

With that in mind, as we get back to our busy lives, it’s critical not to sacrifice on important Zzz’s!

Research reveals, when people get at least 8 hours of sleep, the following day they are less hungry therefore eat less and have fewer cravings.

On the other hand, those who only got up to 5 hours of sleep had an increased appetite and were unable to resist junk snacks, like ice cream and crisps, even when they’d eaten a full meal earlier.

As such, getting a good night’s sleep will make you better prepared to make healthier choices.

Moreover, a lack of sleep means we are less likely to exercise the following day; not only will you eat more, but exercise less too and overtime you may gain excess weight.

4. Keep Hydrated

During lockdown, you may have drank more water throughout the day because of time – with busy lives we can often forget to take a water break and become dehydrated.

Therefore, as lockdown restrictions ease it’s important to maintain your daily water intake.

So, consider carrying a water bottle around with you to prompt you to drink more.

5. Set a Meal-time Routine

Don’t worry if your eating habits have changed during lockdown – you’re not alone.

But, as restrictions ease and we return to “normal” life, it’s a good time to address your meal times.

Setting a healthy meal-time routine will prevent you from turning to food when boredom strikes; the goal is to eat every 3-4 hours to keep blood sugar levels consistent and the stomach to optimally digest food. 

By doing so, you’ll create a more stable energy source and metabolism will remain engaged at all times.

The Takeaway

It may feel challenging to maintain or develop new healthy habits after lockdown, however being mindful of the simpler things, like getting a good night’s sleep, drinking lots of water or limited alcohol intake is a good place to start.

Always remember to take things at your own pace post-lockdown and keep in mind, it’s possible to stay healthy even when restrictions ease.

To learn more, get in touch with us today.

This blog was produced in collaboration with Court of Protection Solicitors: Thaliwal and Veja and producers of Smart Casual Shoes for Women: Jhuti.