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Apr 22

Mayo Clinic Q And A: Staying Healthy While Teleworking – South Florida Reporter

Exercise Programs Comments Off on Mayo Clinic Q And A: Staying Healthy While Teleworking – South Florida Reporter

DEAR MAYO CLINIC:With social distancing guidelines in place due to COVID-19, Ive been working from home for a few weeks, and I can tell its already taking a toll on my health. I feel more tired and less motivated to exercise and eat well, even though I have more time for both. What should I be focusing on to stay healthy while being stuck at home?

ANSWER:While staying at home during theCOVID-19pandemic is a crucial part of stopping the spread of the virus, it may disrupt many of your usual routines and make it harder to maintain healthy habits. But even when youre spending most of your time at home, there are still lots of ways you can weave wellness into your daily activities.

You mention that youre more tired than usual. Thats not surprising during these days of uncertainty and stress. One key way to boost your energy is to get a good nights sleep. This period of time, when social distancing is forcing many people to work from home, actually can be a good opportunity to makehealthy sleepa priority.

Go to bed around the same time every night close to the time you typically would when youre not working from home. Then allow yourself a fullseven to nine hours of sleep, which is the amount most healthy adults need. Without the pressure of arriving at work at a specific time, and no commute to navigate, you may find that a later wake-up time and a slower start to the day ease some of your stress and fatigue.

If falling asleep at night is a challenge because its hard to shut off stressful or worrisome thoughts, try daily meditation. It doesnt have to be a formal practice.Meditationcan be simply five to 10 minutes of intentional focus, during which you calm your mind and minimize random thoughts. There are many forms of meditation, but most share a quiet setting, a comfortable position, focused attention and an open attitude. Research has shown that, over time, daily meditation can improve sleep, reduce stress and anxiety, and lessen fatigue. You may try searching online for free meditation app to see if there is a program that will work well for you.

Exercise is a crucial part of staying healthy, especially during stressful times. When you dont feel motivated, keep in mind that you dont need to do a full-body workout every day to reap the benefits of exercise. Get outside and take a walk or go for a bike ride all while continuing to follow social distancing guidelines. Not only will you be physically active, but also youll get a change of scenery from your home office, which can boost your mood.

Now also is a good time to mix up your exercise routine. If you have exercise equipment you havent put to use for a while, dust it off and hop on. Many online and app-based exercise programs are offering free trials now, making it an opportune time to try something new.

Maintaining ahealthy dietis always an important part of wellness, but even more so during the COVID-19 pandemic. With more time on your hands and fewer options to dine out, this could be a good chance to try some dietary changes that can make a difference in your overall health. Those changes dont have to be big, and they dont need to involve elaborate meal plans. For example, you might try eating more whole foods, incorporating a meatless meal into your routine once or twice a week, reducing your intake of processed foods, and eating more fruits and vegetables.

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Mayo Clinic Q And A: Staying Healthy While Teleworking - South Florida Reporter

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