Men's Health: How to Stay Healthy During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Everyone’s lives have changed significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our normal routines have been replaced with new ones, our work relationships are different and the way we treat our bodies has changed.

This month is Men’s Health Month so we’ve created a healthy-living guide for men adapting to the “new normal” that’s established during the pandemic.

Keep reading to learn our top tips for men to enhance their health!

RE-EVALUATE YOUR WORK ROUTINE

What has your work day looked like lately? Are you getting up early, only to go to your desk in the other room, or is your home office set up on the dining table? If this is you, you’re not alone. Thousands of people have adjusted to working from home during this time.

While working from home does have its advantages (hello sweatpants, goodbye long commute!) it can also have an impact on your health.

Here are a few ways to ensure your new work-from-home routine doesn’t have long-lasting negative effects on your health:

1. Take breaks - While you may feel more focused without all the distractions from other people, it’s important to take breaks throughout the day. Even though it can be easy to just keep working through your lunch break because let’s be honest, there’s not much else to do, taking a break improves your focus and concentration. If you don’t take breaks, it can lead to burnout in the long run.

The best way to take a break is to physically step away from your desk and computer. Not only will this give your eyes a break and offer a change of scenery, but it will give you the opportunity to get the blood pumping in your legs again.

2. Wear Compression Socks - Sitting at a desk all day long can result in the blood pooling in your legs. This can make you feel sluggish and uncomfortable, and can even lead to swelling or edema.

The graduated compression that comes from wearing Dr. Segal’s Compression Socks will increase the circulation in your legs, resulting in diminished swelling and more energy throughout the day!

MIX UP YOUR FITNESS ROUTINE

How have your activity levels been lately? For those who play recreational team sports or workout at the gym, your fitness routines have been interrupted for over a year now. Finding a new fitness routine you enjoy can be difficult, especially if you’re motivated by being around others doing a similar activity.

If your fitness routine has been put on the back burner for a while now, here are a few ways to mix up your fitness routine that can make you excited to workout again:

1. Get some new gear - Nothing gets us more excited than new workout gear. Treat yourself to a new pair of warm-up joggers, weightlifting shoes or maybe a pair of Dr. Segal’s Compression Socks to enhance your recovery time.

If new workout apparel won’t do it for you, try getting a new set of dumbbells or some resistance bands. Whatever it may be, treat yourself to something that will make you excited to use it in your next workout.

2. Be patient - If you’ve taken a long break from working out, you need to slowly ease back into it. Jumping head first into a workout will only result in your body being extremely sore for multiple days, or even worse, an injury that will keep you away from a workout for even longer.

Be patient with your body and celebrate the small wins! Is your goal to run a 10K? Be proud of yourself every step of the way as you work towards this goal. Pat yourself on the back for the workout you do when you’re tired after work, or if you wake up extra early to train!

ELEVATE YOUR FOOD HABITS

Food can be a form of comfort for so many people and when you’re stuck at home during a pandemic it can be easy to reach for foods that don’t make you feel great.

Take a moment to think about how you’ve been nourishing your body lately. Are you choosing food that makes you feel good both physically and mentally? If so, that’s great! Are you choosing food that feels good temporarily, but then makes you feel sluggish and uncomfortable? If that’s the case, it may be time to change things up.

Here are a few ways to elevate your food habits:

1. Add foods, don’t restrict - The best way to nourish your body in a way that feels good both mentally and physically is not to remove certain “junk” foods. That’s a temporary fix and many people tend to go back to their previous habits if they’re restricting foods. Instead, try adding food!

Add more colourful fruits and vegetables to every meal you eat. If you love eating cereal for breakfast, try cutting some bananas into it. If a burger is your go-to lunch, add some dark leafy greens like kale to it, or have baked zucchini sticks on the side instead of regular fries. Maybe you’re more of a protein shake type of person? It’s so easy to add a handful of strawberries and spinach to a smoothie and you won’t even taste the difference!

2. Try new things - Are you the type of person that has a handful of meals that you make time and time again? There’s nothing wrong with favourites, but if you’re wanting to refresh your food habits, try some new recipes!

We understand that searching for new recipes can be daunting, and then on top of that you usually have to buy ingredients that you may never use again. Fortunately, meal-delivery kits exist and they are amazing! Not only do they offer delicious recipes that you likely haven’t tried before, but all the ingredients are properly portioned and ready for you to put together. That means trying something new without any ingredients going to waste! Meal-delivery kits are a great way to try new recipes, discover new ingredients, and enhance your cooking skills!

What have you done lately to uplift your health? We want to know! Share one thing you’ve done to enhance your health by commenting on one of our Instagram posts @thesockdoc. We can’t wait to hear from you!

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