New Routine, Now What?
You spent years perfecting your wellness routine, but now that you’re spending more time at home, some of your healthy habits have fallen by the wayside. We asked nutritional scientist and educator Mika Harada, to troubleshoot some of your common health questions and put you on a path to the new normal health routine.
“I’m so bloated.”
Spending more time at home could mean that you’re sitting more, and potentially grazing on snack foods outside of your regular mealtimes. Many people are making grocery store trips quicker, which means that you could be forgetting some of the usual healthy foods like fresh veggies and fruits on your list. “Make a detailed shopping list of the healthy foods you love, and have a game plan for using them,” says Harada. “If you’re still feeling bloated, reach for a probiotic which can help to regulate digestion and get rid of that bloated feeling,” adds Harada.
“I need an energy boost!”
“Maybe you’re having trouble sleeping, which could be due to a lack of movement in the day or spending too much time on screens close to bedtime,” says Harada. Power off your devices 2 hours before bed and try to find more ways to fit movement into your day. Maybe it’s standing up every for a stretch, taking some time at lunch to go for a walk outside, or carving out time to do an online workout class that you love.
If video meetings are taking up a big chunk of your day, whether WFH or for fun, ‘Zoom fatigue’ may be at play. “It’s a real thing,” says Harada. “People are feeling much more exhausted from video conferencing because it can take more effort than face-to-face interaction.” Yes, this means that even your video catch ups with friends could be draining you. Keep this in mind as you make your schedule, and remember that it’s ok to space out your video calls.
Still feeling drained? Try a superfood like greens+ by Genuine Health, which has been proven to boost energy. “I like to take it first thing in the morning, or mid-afternoon when I’m feeling lethargic,” says Harada.
“How can I continue to support my immune system every day without taking handfuls of vitamin C?”
Look for supplements that do double duty. “Start with a quality probiotic,” says Harada. Not only will a probiotic help reduce bloating, but it also supports a healthy immune system (this is because up to 80% of your immune cells and tissues can be found in your gut). “Plus, probiotics have been shown to reduce the severity and duration of respiratory tract infections,” she says. Look for a multi-strain probiotic like advanced gut health probiotic by Genuine Health because multiple strains can help to promote a more diverse gut ecology (and healthy immune system).
“Next, look for a superfood that helps to fill in nutrient gaps, improve energy and support your immune system,” adds Harada. “One thing people don’t realize is that an acid-forming diet (read: comfort foods) is taxing to the immune system.” By adding a superfood like greens+, you can not only improve your energy, but you’re also helping to push your body into a more alkaline and healthy state. Every day shake up a glass of greens+ by Genuine Health, which has been proven to combat dietary acid load. If you’re looking for added immune support, greens+ multi+ and greens+ bone builder have added vitamin D.
“I keep forgetting to take my supplements.”
A shakeup to your routine often means you forget to take your supplements. “If you used to take your supplements with breakfast before heading out the door in the morning, but now you’re working from home, you’ll want to start to think of new strategies to help you remember,” says Harada. Look at where you keep your supplements, and find new places where they’ll be in view. Try putting supplements that don’t need to be refrigerated in a place where you’ll see them&mdashlike your desk or beside your bed.
For refrigerated supplements, try to group them together in the fridge, and try to find a new time of day that makes sense to take them based on your needs. If you’re adding greens+ to a smoothie for breakfast, or mixing it up with water in the afternoon when you need an energy boost, remember to take your probiotic and/or fish oil at the same time.