How to stay healthy after the COVID 19 lockdown
In mid-March we were all thrown completely out of sorts when, all around the world, governments began encouraging or forcing people to stay at home. The effect of which was the social equivalent or an asteroid hitting somewhere out in the ocean. A few people, who had built their homes up high, weren’t too bothered. Some took advantage of the disaster and turned it into profit and most of us, in some way, were washed far away from everything we’d ever thought to be “safe” and “secure” and left to float out in the ocean living off hope and charity.
Suddenly, mental and physical wellness was at the forefront of everyone’s minds. Myself included; I was practising yoga everyday and meditating, drowning myself in essentials oils and feeling pretty smug about how well I was keeping it together. But when you go UP so fast, you come down just as fast. Health and wellness is not a fad diet, and like a fad diet, you can’t jump on the band-wagon for a couple of weeks, ditch it and then expect the rest of your life to be peachy.
I KNOW you felt great when you were riding the wellness wave, and you’re probably thinking, “I wish I could always feel that good.” Well, here’s the kicker; you absolutely can! It’s just going to take some consistency and commitment. Yes, yes I can feel you rolling your eyes at two of the most off-putting words in the English language! That’s why I want to give you a few tips to get started on this path. My top tip being; don’t mess around, don’t over think it, do it RIGHT NOW.
Pay in advance for your classes.
When you make a financial commitment to showing up you’re SO much more likely to actually show up. After all, you paid for it. Money talks!
Show up anyway.
You’re tired and you’ve had a long day - SHOW UP ANYWAY. You have an injury - tell your teacher/coach and SHOW UP ANYWAY. The sun’s out and you’d rather go to the pub - SHOW UP ANYWAY. The chances are, no matter how you feel going in, you’re going to feel so much better about showing up when you come out. I know you will, and you know you will.
Get off YouTube.
I can’t believe I’m saying this as a YouTube contributor. YouTube definitely has it’s place but it has no place in helping you create a long-term, sustainable healthy lifestyle. You need something that is clear and concise; nothing wishy washy where you’ll probably spend more time scrolling than moving. I teach three online public classes a week, including Sweat & Stretch (HIIT + Yoga), Power Yoga and Restorative Yoga. Pick one you like and just show up. If you like it, COMMIT and show up every week.
Start small
I can’t stress this enough. The number one mistake I see people making when they try to make lifestyle changes is going too hard, too soon. They ALWAYS burn out. You’re better off taking the time to develop a lifelong love of Crossfit by going once a week, than you are going four days a week for a month and then hitting a huge wall, hating it and probably never going back. If you go hardcore vegan for a month you will come out of that adamant you can never be a vegan and eating your weight in bacon (offsetting the month of good work!). Start with one day a week/one meal a week and go from there.
Rest
Rest and recovery are vital to long term health. If you’re working out 5 days a week, absolutely shredding your body, and you’re not sleeping properly you are not living your best life; you are torturing yourself, and doing more bad than good. Make sure you supplement your strength and cardio training with Yin Yoga or Restorative Yoga and get your 8 hours in each night. It’s all about Balance, my friends!
It’s taken me a long time to really understand what the last three months have done to society, and to myself as an individual, and I’m sure we’ll be seeing the effect of this hit for a long time. There will be books, studies, theories and conspiracy theories (aren’t there always!) and I look forward to reading them all. But one thing that COVID did give us was a deeper appreciation for our health and wellness, and I’m grateful for that! Now, let’s not loose site of how important long-term health is.