Mental Fitness!
In the last month, so many have been directly affected by COVID-19. Those who haven’t been directly affected are still affected by the closing of schools, work places, and the gym. I know that my routine involved waking up for school, going to class, heading to the gym, and doing homework/hanging out with friends most days. I’m sure many can relate to none of these things being an option for the time being. I remember waking up the first morning after finding out my classes had been moved to online, and I had no clue what to do with myself.
My sleep schedule became more erratic and I found myself not waking up until noon everyday. While sleeping in some days is wonderful, doing it everyday until the afternoon leaves you feeling lethargic and irritable. That was the first thing I started working on. Melatonin is a HUGE help. If you’re someone who doesn’t respond to sleep medicine, I recommend guided meditations to help with anxiety (also if you have an Alexa device, it has a relaxing music feature that puts me right to sleep).
Okay, so your sleep schedule is fixed. Now what? Find a new routine. Things will not be back to “normal” for a while, so we might as well make the most of what we have control over. The stay at home order does not mean that you can never leave your house. Be smart, practice social distancing, and wash your hands. Parks are still open to the public. I had a deep talk with my nutritionist and trainer and they suggested I start running again (I had mostly been going to the gym before this, so cardio was rarely apart of my routine). Tuesday morning I met my trainer and a fellow teammate at Memorial Park and we ran 3 miles together! The last time I ran more than a mile was over 2 years ago....so this felt like a huge accomplishment for me. Now I’m not saying you have to go out and run long distance, but it’s important to exercise outside and set small goals during times like this. Vitamin D is amazing for the body and it boosts serotonin levels, so that irritable feeling will go away!! Things like walking the dog, having a picnic, or just sitting out in your backyard for an hour will do wonders for your mood.
The more you stay inside with little to no activity, the more you will find yourself consuming unnecessary calories. I’m guilty of that for sure! Keeping yourself busy takes your mind off wanting to eat out of boredom.
What motivated me for my specific situation was when I saw an old picture of myself at my heaviest weight. After seeing this picture, I knew I had to start admitting to the things I had been slacking on. I immediately texted my nutritionist and we talked about accountability. Find someone who will hold you responsible. I don’t mean someone who will be mad at your for making mistakes, just someone who will encourage you. I know that when I have people supporting me and putting certain expectations on me, it keeps me in check. Having to text someone about the mistakes you made is a little embarrassing. It’s okay to make mistakes, but having someone who will hold you accountable allows you to make those mistakes less often. Now is the time to continue whatever journey you may have been on before.
If you’re looking to start a health journey, I recommend two of the greatest guys I know!! Mike Chabala from Sphere Fit Club in Houston, TX is simply an inspiration. I met Mike 5 years ago when he would work with me in soccer. Today he and several coaches have an awesome club for anyone to enjoy!! There are classes with the soccer ball and classes without. The best part of it is that it is truly a community. No judgment and no conflict. It is the most welcoming environment for any person. Enrique Carrillo from The Spot Nutrition in Houston is my second accountability partner. I met Enrique through Mike, and he got me started on Herbalife Nutrition. These are more than just a fitness club and a nutrition bar. Even though their facilities are temporarily closed, I know I can contact them and they will be there to hold me accountable.
No matter what stress may be in your life, control the variables that can be controlled.
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