Managing Health & Wellness during COVID 19 with a Health and Wellness Coach and/or Nutritionist--

For many right now-- nutrition and exercise may not seem important which I get.. but it is because it can help you with the high levels of stress , mental health and if you are in recovery.. it's affecting all of us.

See stress effects our hormones (cortisol) , our neurotransmitters (ie serotonin), our Micro-nutrients (vitamins and minerals like our B Vitamins and Magnesium etc), our sleep and how we digest our foods...

Yes, stress is primal and yes, we have it from time to time.. we even may have the "fight or flight" stress but our bodies aren't made to sustain long term stress...

So from years of education and years of helping clients in a Health & Wellness Coaching aspect to now a Nutritional one, here are some steps that may be helpful..

Listen to your body. When something doesn’t feel right (mentally, emotionally or physically) acknowledging it is the first step to overcoming. Use the resources available to you to seek support, if needed. They are out there from Health & Wellness Coaches, Nutritionist, Therapist etc.. Please reach out.

Stay hydrated. Staying properly hydrated with water is just as important as eating healthy. A good habit is to always have water with you wherever you go. Avoid sugary drinks and alcoholic beverages, which can cause spikes in blood sugar that can increase hunger along with other aspects of mental health and those in recovery.

Practice healthy sleep habits. Eight hours is the recommended amount of sleep per night. The quality of your sleep impacts mental clarity, blood pressure and immunity. Sleeping less than six hours can affect your hormones and metabolism.

Exercise and stay active. Deep breathing, muscular exertion and regular movement can help improve your well-being, immunity and focus. Studies also show that it is helpful with depression, anxiety and for those in recovery it can lessen cravings plus it relieves stress and fills time that otherwise may not be filled.

Eat healthy meals and snacks. Adopting healthy eating habits involves making mindful decisions and avoiding processed foods as much as possible. If you have a long day ahead of you or you know your day will be stressful, make sure you have healthy, nutritious and protein-rich snacks on hand. These types of foods and snacks help optimize your brain and body, and can help minimize the stress that comes with hunger and low energy.

Prioritize stress management. Stress is normal, but living with it constantly is unhealthy and can become debilitating to your well-being. Long-term stress can contribute to obesity, heart disease and high blood pressure. Again use resources for mental health care (like counseling and/or emotional support via telehealth or AA meetings via video etc) to ensure that stress doesn’t stand in the way of your health.