The coronavirus has spun the world on its hinges and has called for us to all make significant changes to the way we live. From social distancing to working from home, there are a few things we can do to make sure we keep physically and mentally healthy. 

With the help from fitness apps who have removed subscription fees during this period, to celebrities offering their time to share health tips with us all. Protecting our immune systems, our physical strength and our mental capacity to stay positive, are some of the ways we can beat this virus. Here are 7 of the best ways to stay fit and healthy during this coronavirus pandemic. 

Self-isolation has affected our ability to pursue our normal daily lives. Whether that’s walking to work, or up the stairs, our ability to stay physically fit has been compromised. Our first two tips are dedicated to getting you on your feet, hearts pumping and muscles engaged.

1. At-home workouts 

Home-workout options come in abundance. Regular gym-goers will probably be able to form their own circuits in their homes. Those less-up on the physical fitness agenda can always turn to YouTube for home-workout routines. 

To make things simpler, many virtual fitness apps have been developed to take into account your fitness levels and your goals to generate a customised workout plan for you to complete at home over the coming weeks. 

Check out one of the most popular, Nike Training Club, who offers a wide range of individual and multiweek training programs for free. Another great one is Down Dog, the yoga platform who have scrapped all subscription fees during this period.

2. Get out there for your daily exercise

Whilst we are all highly encouraged to remain at home as much as possible, we’ve also been advised to go outdoors for exercise once a day. There are conditions attached, however, like keeping a distance of at least two metres from one another and only going out with other members living in your household. 

But the effects of getting out for a run, cycle or stroll once a day are huge. Such activities work all the muscles in our bodies and can help contribute to our ability and willingness to remain at home for the rest of the day. As the weather continues to improve, we should be making reasonable and sensible decisions to exercise outdoors.

As restrictions on our daily lives continue to limit our social abilities, it’s crucial to take better care of our mental wellbeing now, more than ever. Our next tips for keeping healthy during the Coronavirus outbreak will help us find peace from within and from our loved ones.  

3. Try yoga and meditation

(Image: Yoga Journal)

An easily accessible and cost-effective way to boost our mental wellbeing is indeed by practising yoga. Everyone of all ages should be devoting 20 minutes a day to stretching muscles, rhythmic breathing and finding serenity in a hectic period. 

Yoga’s ancient traditions mean that some of us will already be clued up on Warrior Poses, Downward Facing Dog’s and child Pose. Others will be very confused by these terms. They’re simple and effective and can be taught remotely by virtual instructors found online.  

4. Virtually hang out with friends and colleagues

For many of us, self-isolation means zero human contact. Those fortunate enough to be living with other people can equally benefit from seeing, hearing and meaningfully engaging with other people on a daily basis. But when we used to meet our friends for lunch, and talk closely with neighbours, a phone call just seems so disconnected. 

We’re living in a wonderful time as far as technological communications go. A couple of weeks ago, you may have been sitting in your office cantine on your break with a colleague. With many of us working from home, we can still connect meaningfully during our breaks on FaceTime, Google Hangouts and WhatsApp video calls. They can break up the day and have a significant and positive impact on the rest of your afternoon.

There’s no easy way to accept that it’s our bodies and their strength that will carry us through the coming weeks and potentially months. Having said so, there’s no better way to stay fit and healthy than by looking after our bodies from within. So, how exactly can we strengthen our immune systems?

5. Eating well

(Image: Healthline)

We really are what we eat. We all know for sure that our diets considerably impact our digestive systems, but it can directly affect our immune system too. Eating and drinking too much sugar immediately curbs our immune system cells that attack bacteria. In fact, this effect lasts several hours after having a high-sugar drink. 

So if not sugar, then what? Simply, eat more fruits and vegetables rich in nutrients like vitamin C and E, as well as beta-carotene and zinc. To find these, go for brightly coloured fruits and vegetables like berries, citrus, apples, kale, spinach and carrots.

Kiwi fruits and oranges are high in vitamin C, which in itself helps to protect and maintain healthy cells and tissues. As such, your body will be able to defend itself from colds and cases of flu and the amount of time they last. Old fashioned chicken soup, garlic and some mushroom varieties like shiitake, have also been found to help your immune system.

6. Resting well

As far as strengthening our immune systems go- rest is key. As our muscles continue to work and contract all day long with our movements, without knowing it, our immune systems are compromised. Studies show that people who don’t get adequate sleep are more likely to get sick after being exposed to a virus, such as the common cold (Mayo Clinic). A lack of sleep also helps to determine how fast you recover if you do get sick.

When we are asleep, our immune systems release proteins, some of which help to promote sleep. Infection-fighting antibodies and cells are also reduced during the period when you don’t get enough sleep. It’s therefore vital to allow sufficient time for our bodies to rest. That essentially means getting between 7 - 9 hours sleep.

7. Stay home 

Above all, staying at home where possible to help maintain a collectively fit and healthy society is the best way to keep yourself and your loved ones fit and healthy during coronavirus. The overall aim is to slow the spread and contain the amount of COVID-19 cases. The better we adhere to staying at home, the sooner this will all be over.