Tips to Stay Healthy in a COVID-Season & Beyond

Making healthy choices can be a challenge any day of the week, and even more so when the world is fighting COVID-19. Your routine is likely disrupted, and you may be struggling to stay motivated. You may be feeling depressed and indulging in more comfort foods.

As an older adult who is considered at-risk for COVID-19, it is important to stay strong and take the necessary precautions to keep as healthy as possible.

In this article, we’ll touch on extra precautions to take now. We've also curated healthy living tips to help you stay healthy and connected during the COVID-19 pandemic.

How to Protect Yourself & Others During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The CDC recommends getting vaccinated for COVID-19. If you're not vaccinated, consider wearing a mask in indoor public places, especially if you have a weakened immune system. Other COVID-19 protection suggestions from the CDC include:

• Limiting in-person interactions when indoors.
• Practice social distancing.
• Washing your hands regularly with soap and water, or when they're not available, choose a hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with your unwashed hands.
• Coughing and sneezing into the inside of your elbow or into a tissue, followed by washing your hands.
• Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched items, such as doorknobs and faucets.

Also, don’t hesitate to call your healthcare professional at any time if you are not feeling well or have concerns about COVID-19. 

Tips to Keep You Staying Healthy and Connected During the COVID-19 Pandemic

In a time when you may not want to go outside or are unable to stay physically connected with others, it's still important to keep your health in mind. Below, we've curated healthy living tips to help you maintain an active lifestyle.

Our healthy living tips include:

1. Eat for Nutrition.

Eat a rainbow of fruits and vegetables! Get adequate protein and dairy. Avoid overeating processed foods. Set a goal to try a new recipe each week using whole ingredients and fresh foods.

Related: 6 Tips to Maximize Brain Health >>

2. Drink Plenty of Water.

Drink water instead of sugary, calorie-laden drinks. Water supports your body in digestion, nutrient absorption, circulation, and maintenance of body temperature. Water also helps your kidneys cleanse and rid your body of toxins. 

3. Move, Move, Move! 

Add movement to various parts of your day. Taking a walk around the block or doing some yoga outside has numerous benefits on your physical and mental health.

If the weather is bad, walk around your home or consider investing in a treadmill. There are also many online programs and apps for home workouts for all ages. 

4. Stay Strong. 

Cardio workouts are important, but so is strength training. It can keep your body functional, mobile, and strong to help fight off anything from the common cold to a more serious virus.

5. Divert Boredom or Anxiety.

Even without a pandemic in place, it’s common nature for people to resort to food when bored, anxious, or stressed. Learn to recognize emotional hunger. Instead of eating, come up with an activity or two that uplifts you and diverts your attention. After the activity, reassess if you are hungry. Most people find they are not, and they feel emotionally better.

6. Stay Positive and Take Care of Your Mental Health. 

There are a number of health benefits to positive thinking, from lower rates of depression to a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease.

Other things you can do to keep a positive mindset include: deep breathing or meditation, taking breaks from the news, and finding ways to stay connected with friends and family. Staying positive takes even more effort during a pandemic but is worth it! 

7. Build Healthy Relationships. 

Building positive relationships with others is just as important as nutrition and physical activity. Maintaining a strong social network as we age can contribute to a longer, healthier life.

While this has been especially difficult since the pandemic started, it’s not impossible. There are many ways to virtually connect to keep your relationships strong. Also, this is one of the many benefits of living in a community such as Otterbein Granville, where you’ll find safe socialization activities specifically for residents.

Life at Otterbein Granville

Located on over 90 acres of gorgeous Ohio countryside, Otterbein Granville is a thriving senior community providing a safe, revitalizing environment for active older adults. As a 5-star-rated Life Plan Community, living options include independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing, and short-term rehab. 

Want to get a closer look? Schedule a "Try It Stay" — a complimentary visit to our community!