Check out these ways to stay healthy indoors

Keep your wellbeing in check.

Several measures have been put in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Governments across the globe have implemented varying degrees of lockdown to entire cities, even regions.

Now, some of us may be feeling the effects after weeks, even months, of being cooped up indoors—from boredom to cabin fever, and stress to isolation, just to name a few.

Take care of yourself and keep your wellbeing in check by incorporating these into your daily habits:

1. Get moving
Being at home 24/7 might tempt you into just sleeping or binge-watching your favorite shows whenever possible. Sure you may do these, but do them in moderation. Physical inactivity is linked to a higher risk in having heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Regular exercise not only helps you manage your weight—it has many other different benefits, including disease prevention and energy-boosting. Try to dedicate a few minutes every day to exercising—the World Health Organization recommends “150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity per week, or both.”

The best part is that you don’t need special gym equipment to exercise. You can do some bodyweight exercises or use household items like bottles or containers filled with water or liquid. You can also catch free online workouts—some local studios and even fitness personalities have been offering workouts that you can easily do at home.

2. Whip up your own meals
Sure, there is an option to order food from restaurants that have remained open but consider preparing your own meals as much as possible. Cooking your own food helps you eat better and healthier. It develops your basic cooking techniques, too.

Plus, when you are at home, you can try your hand at recreating some of your favorite restos’ dishes in your very own kitchen. It may also prove to be therapeutic for you if you enjoy cooking.

3. Always be mindful of good hygiene and cleanliness
With medical experts still in the process of developing a vaccine for the new coronavirus, our best first line of defense for now is keeping ourselves and our surroundings as clean as possible at all times.

We cannot stress the importance of social distancing and regular, thorough handwashing with soap and water enough, but it doesn’t stop there. Always practice proper coughing etiquette. Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces and objects like door knobs and handles, chairs and tables, bathroom surfaces, sinks, light switches, and mobile phones using a disinfectant with 70% alcohol or bleach regularly. Always wear face masks and take vitamins to help boost your immune system.

4. Look after your mental health, too
The outbreak of the new coronavirus has no doubt been stressful and anxiety-inducing for some people. Stress and anxiety can manifest in different ways, including fear and worry for yourself and your loved ones’ health, change in sleep and/or eating patterns, worsening of mental and chronic health problems, and more.

So, don’t forget to take care of your mental health, too. Watch a feel-good show, read a book, listen to music, or write in a journal. And while it’s important to be updated in current events, experts also recommend taking breaks from watching or listening to the news—especially if it’s about the pandemic—once in a while. When you’re stressed, try to do some stretching and deep breathing exercises, or meditate. Catch enough ZZZs, too!

It’s also essential to take the time to talk to your friends and loved ones. It doesn’t matter if it’s through a phone call, video call, or chat–just catch up and talk to one another about how you’re feeling.

5. Protect your health
Now more than ever, it’s important to start looking after your health. A way to prepare for health uncertainties is availing of a health plan. A health insurance plan provides coverage for medical expenses such as hospitalization and treatments for critical conditions. Some plans even return your premiums at a certain age.

AXA Philippines offers health insurance products that fit your health protection needs. Health Start can cover you and your loved one against top critical conditions such as cancer, stroke, and heart attack for as low as P1,500 a month. You can also opt for a comprehensive health plan that provides coverage against 56 major and 18 minor critical illnesses. With all the uncertainties happening, it’s important to ensure that you’re covered in time of need.

Hopefully, these tips can help you cope with the current situation and ease the stress and anxiety you may be feeling.

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For existing AXA Philippines Health Start and Health Max policyholders, critical illness benefits will be paid out whether related to COVID-19 or not, subject to contract terms and conditions. Check out AXA Philippines’ website for more information.