We’re coming out of a challenging year. Although vaccine distribution provides a light at the end of the tunnel, we still have a ways to go. Whether you’re stuck at home or safely navigating the world, it’s important to find ways to look and feel your best. These forms of self-care can give you more confidence, improve your health, and empower you as you make your way through the remainder of the pandemic. Here are a few ideas that we hope will inspire you take the best possible care of yourself over the coming months:
Focus on Nutrition
When it comes to food, we too often focus on eliminating types of food and restricting our diets. Along the way, we forget to prioritize the things our bodies truly need. That’s why taking a macronutrient-focused approach to eating can make such a big difference for so many peoples’ health. It’s vital to make sure you’re getting enough carbs, fats, and protein in order to thrive.
If you’re trying to moderate your weight, protein can be a particularly useful nutrient to prioritize. When you have a protein-rich snack between meals, you’re far more likely to stay satisfied until your next meal time comes around. Chickpeas, boiled eggs, and turkey are a few excellent protein-packed snacks you can turn to in a pinch.
Fortunately, there are a number of apps available for smartphones that can help you develop meal plans and track calories, carbs, and other macros. Some of these apps can also help you put together an exercise routine, which can also help you feel your best. If it’s been a while since you’ve updated your smartphone, now’s a great time to do so! The Samsung Galaxy S21, for example, is among the many different phones available that can give you the speed and storage necessary to download and store all of your favorite apps.
Seek Preventative Care
Over the course of 2020, many people neglected the preventative care measures they may have taken in other years. However, it’s important to continue to get regular physicals, dental check-ups, and eye exams. Medical providers are taking the utmost care to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the office, and your continued well-being might depend on those check-ups.
There are many conditions, such as glaucoma, that can go relatively undetected in the earliest stages without medical testing. Seeing your doctor and getting regular health screenings is the absolute best way to catch issues before they get out of hand and do serious damage. If you’re unsure or uncomfortable, reach out to your healthcare provider and ask about their procedures for preventing COVID-19 spread in their office. They may be able to reassure you and give you the confidence you need to schedule your appointment.
Start a Skincare Routine
If you don’t already have a skincare routine, now is the time to start it. Many adults don’t wear sunscreen when they’re out and about. Not only does that put you at higher risk of skin cancer, it can also cause skin damage that makes you age prematurely.
Since you may be spending more time indoors right now anyway, it’s the perfect time to build the habit of regular sunscreen usage. Invest in a daily moisturizer with at least 15 SPF and wear it every day. You’ll be better moisturized and you’ll develop a habit that will keep you healthier and younger-looking for years to come.
Stay Hydrated
Finally, one of the absolute best ways to look and feel healthier is to drink more water. Too many of us fail to meet our daily recommended water intake, and we feel the results by way of headaches, fatigue, and dry skin. Keep a full water bottle with you throughout the day, and you’ll start to build a hydration habit that will be sure to give you great results.
Remember, however, that the early days of drinking more water often result in more trips to the bathroom. This is normal and temporary, but it can hang around for up to two weeks — longer if you don’t keep up with your water goals. Once again, this time spent at home — with easy bathroom access — may be the best possible moment to build up bladder capacity.
These are just a few of the ways you can take better care of yourself right now and look and feel better. In times of stress, it’s easy to let self-care fall to the wayside. Make 2021 the year you put yourself back on your priority list. You deserve it!
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