REALIZATIONS: HOW TO STAY POSITIVE AND HEALTHY IN THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC?

 It's been a tough year of battling against the Covid-19 pandemic. Thank God that my family and I, still here physically and emotionally strong. When the lockdown started last March 18, 2020, there are so many things that keep running through my mind. How to survive this unseen threat? Worry, fear, panic, and even loss of hope entered into our minds and hearts. 

The impact of Covid-19 on people caused severe shock because tens of millions of people are at risk of falling into extreme poverty, their livelihoods and their health are greatly affected. Without income, means no food or less food and less nutritious food to feed themselves and their families. Let's all keep away the negatives preventing us from being happy while living in the present.

This is a bit late but allow me to share and somehow it helps you, my realizations, and how to stay positive and healthy in these trying times.

First, PRAY. For many, prayer and meditation are an important way to stay positive, often lessening or eliminating worry, fear, anxiety, and depression. That's the first thing I did, I pray and pray that this virus will end. 

Loving God, I pray that you will comfort me in my suffering, lend skill to the hands of my healers, and bless the means used for my cure. Give me such confidence in the power of your grace, that even when I am afraid, I may put my whole trust in you; through our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

Second, EAT HEALTHY, LIVE HEALTHY. By doing so, you will get an improved immune system. Maintain a daily schedule of having enough sleep, drinking 8 glasses of water daily, eating fresh foods, and exercise.  

For some people, it is the time to gain or lose weight. You have a lot of time to achieve your fitness goal. Are you trying to gain or lose weight? This weight loss calculator will help you determine a daily caloric intake for your desired goal.

First, input your health details including gender & height. Then choose a daily activity level from the available pull-down menu. Enter how much you'd like to lose and a time period that you would like to achieve your goal during.

Press CALCULATE, and you’ll see estimated calorie requirements for losing weight, as well as a number for maintaining.

The above should give a fairly accurate calorie number for reaching your goal, but to get a most accurate Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE), get your body composition tested and enter your stats in the "body fat percentage" field.

Please seek the help of medical & nutritional professionals before drastically altering your exercise or diet.

According to a recent survey, the majority of Americans reported gaining weight during the pandemic. Similarly, a smaller majority is concerned about shedding this weight going into the new year.

The survey, commissioned by biotechnology company Gelesis, was conducted via an online poll of adults in the United States between Oct. 26 and Nov. 3. Of the small sample, research firm Kelton Global found 53% of those who responded claimed to be as worried about gaining weight now and at the end of the year as they are about not being able to see family for the holidays.

Nearly three in five of those polled said they are on a mission to lose weight in the new year, with 63% admitting that keeping healthy habits during the coronavirus has been more difficult.
Source:https://www.foxnews.com/lifestyle/majority-americans-weight-gain-pandemic-shed-pounds-2021

Third, STAY AT HOME AND FOLLOW THE PROTOCOLS. The best and safest place, in our home. When you stay home, less chance of getting infected with a virus. Here are some protective measures to prevent COVID-19 transmission:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water.
• Always bring and disinfect using alcohol or sanitizer.
• Always wear a facemask and face shield when going out.
• Cough or sneeze in your bent elbow - not your hands!
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Limit social gatherings and time spent in crowded places.
• Avoid close contact with someone who is sick.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Let's all remember these safe behaviors to stop the spread of Covid-19.

Fourth, STAY CONNECTED. Life is short and we don't know what will happen to us during these times of difficulty. So might as well, connect with your loved ones and don't forget to tell them "I love you", "thank you" and "sorry". Maintain contact with other people using social distancing via the phone, Zoom, email, texting, or whatever safe means you choose to stay connected. 

Certainly, even with social distancing, we all know someone who would appreciate a phone call and like to know they are cared about, and not alone. Connecting with others in this way is mutually beneficial, and may be very healing for both people involved.

Lastly, STAY CREATIVE AND BUSY. We all have time especially while staying home due to quarantine, we can do all the things we need to do such as cleaning the house, spend time with the kids doing things that they're enjoying, biking, baking, preparing food together, teaching them all the household chores, start a blog or vlog, start selling food online and earn extra, and a lot more to do when you're at home. 

Let's not forget what this pandemic taught us. We are stronger than we know. Our strength and courage pushed us all to keep fighting even if life is hard and challenging. Having a positive attitude, healthy body, and mind may very well help us cope during this difficult time.