The COVID-19 crisis has made abundantly clear that our health and wellness are our top priority. With or without a pandemic, we must do what it takes to take good care of ourselves. Self-care is instrumental to the overall quality of our lives.
As we face the threat of the various strains of the novel coronavirus, we strive hard to protect our bodies through health and safety measures. Amidst the home isolation and restricted movements, we try to foster our mental wellness and promote our overall well-being.
Keep in mind, however, that everything starts at home. As the man considered the head of the family, you must protect your family’s health and wellness. That said, here’s what you need to do:
1. Set healthy routines at home
Family members must form good habits during this pandemic. To ensure this, you must set healthy routines at home. However, you have to ensure that every family member strictly complies for their benefit. Take note of the following:
- Waking up and sleeping early
- Eating healthy food
- Drinking plenty of water
- Getting exposed to sunlight
- Having physical activities
- Ensuring social interaction
- Having open lines of communication
2. Prepare nutritious meals
It’s vital to be wary of what food you put on the table for your family. If you do the cooking and food preparation, be highly critical in your food selection. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends nutritious food such as the following:
- Green leafy vegetables
- Whole fruits
- Wholegrain food
- Food from animal sources (lean meat, fish, and eggs)
In addition, the WHO suggests limiting the following:
- Salt intake
- Fat and oil
- Sugar consumption
- Alcoholic drinks
3. Work out together as a family
When it comes to promoting physical fitness and healthy living, having regular exercise is the key. Unfortunately, the pandemic restrictions have led every individual and family to stay indoors.
Sure, the restrictions are gradually becoming lighter and lighter now. However, authorities are still limiting outdoor activities. Even if the fitness centers have reopened, they still impose health and safety protocols.
That said, the best course of action is to pursue a home workout with all your family members. You can set up a home gym, install workout tools and equipment, and have home exercises with your family. Ultimately, doing so is the best way for your family to stay physically fit and healthy during the pandemic.
4. Don’t take sleep for granted
Sleep is crucial in promoting health and well-being. The main focus is to get enough hours of sleep. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends having about seven hours of sleep for adults, eight to ten hours for teens, and nine to twelve hours for children.
However, it’s more than just having enough hours of slumber. The ultimate goal is to achieve a night of restful and restorative sleep, especially during this pandemic. Doing so will promote mental health and ensure psychological well-being.
5. Limit digital consumption
It’s easy to see a lot of families having too much digital consumption, especially during this COVID-19 pandemic. Chances are, you spend most of your time surfing the web, checking social media, and playing online games. Doing so leads to a sedentary lifestyle which can be detrimental to the health.
It’s vital to regulate your family’s digital consumption every day. Instead of spending time on the internet, allow quality time with your family members. Engage in physical activities such as outdoor sports, home gardening, and working out. Do something productive yet fun, such as creating arts and crafts, pursuing home improvement projects, or even doing household chores.
7. Set up a wellness retreat at home
A vital part of the overall equation is having peace and relaxation at home. Your family needs to have some self-pampering in the comfort of your home. As such, make sure to pursue some hobbies and interests such as reading books, watching good movies, and drawing and painting. If not, find a place to relax and do absolutely nothing at all.
In addition, consider setting up a wellness retreat at home. For instance, turn your bathroom into a spa by investing in spa parts from online stores such as Bath Parts and redesigning your bathroom. You can also create a space for yoga and meditation. Ultimately, having a wellness retreat at home is good for your family’s mental health.
At this point, you now know how to protect your family’s health and wellness as the head of the family. All it takes is to follow the valuable tips recommended above, from setting healthy routines down to setting up a wellness retreat at home. By doing all these, you’ll be able to foster your family’s overall well-being amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.