There’s no denying that 2020 was an unusual year, and it’s likely that we will continue to feel the effects of the pandemic into 2021. Unfortunately, many of those effects can make it difficult to work towards or achieve health goals.

However, that difficulty doesn’t mean that we should give up. Instead, we need to be patient with ourselves and our health and adjust our goals and routines accordingly to fit what we can accomplish in a healthy manner.

Today the Rio Grande Valley family medical clinic at Healthy Lifestyles RGV will go over healthy priorities you should be keeping during COVID-19, as well as tips on how to commit to them.

The coronavirus has had wide-reaching impacts on almost all aspects of our lives. Because of this, it’s important for each of us to adjust our habits to stay healthy in these unprecedented circumstances. Before we list tips on how to accomplish your health goals, it’s worth considering what sorts of areas you should prioritize.

Exercise — Since many of us are working from home or restricting our travel due to the pandemic, our physical activity and body movement has also decreased.
Meal Preparation — Being stuck at home can make eating healthy difficult, but planning ahead can help you stay in control of your nutrition.
Mental Wellness — Finding time to relax alone is incredibly crucial in these uncertain and chaotic times, especially for parents who may be spending their days on childcare.

Despite the times we’re living in, the best methods for achieving your health goals really haven’t changed. Instead, you will need to keep in mind how your needs and abilities have changed since entering the pandemic when applying the following tips:

1 - Take It One Day at a Time: Whether you want to lose weight or just maintain your mental health, staying in the present can help keep you from getting overwhelmed or discouraged.

2 - Be Realistic: Never has it been more important for you to be realistic with your health goals. Unrealistic expectations are likely to lead to disappointment and self-doubt when they inevitably aren’t achieved. Instead, take a look at the time and energy that you have available, and plan accordingly. In such tough times, it’s imperative to be compassionate with yourself.

3 - Set Incremental Goals: Once you have an idea of the time, energy, and resources you have available to you, you can start to formulate and set goals. However, even if the goal is realistic, setting one major goal can be discouraging, and it can be difficult to pace your progress. Instead, set incremental steps that will slowly allow you to reach your major goal over time.

4 - Reward Achievements: When you reach a goal or a step on your way, take time to reward yourself for your effort. Given the circumstances, any efforts you make are likely to be even more challenging, which makes recognizing that effort all the more important. For a reward, you could do an activity you enjoy like online shopping, renting a movie, or ordering in a fancy meal!

5 - Look for Support: Finding other people to share your goals and progress with can be a big help, especially now. With all of us feeling a bit disconnected, a socially distanced morning run can be a great way to stay in touch and stay active. Plus, support from friends and loved ones is absolutely essential to your mental health, again, especially during a pandemic.

It’s true that the actions you take in your daily life have a major impact on your health, but it’s important not to let your healthcare maintenance slide during these trying times. Make sure to stay up to date with your prescriptions and check-ups, and seek medical attention if you have a serious problem. In the meantime, be sure to keep up with your regular visits to your Rio Grande Valley primary care physician or family medicine practitioner.