A new routine, what now?

You’ve spent years perfecting your wellness routine, but now that you’re spending more time at home, you might have let some of your healthy habits slide. We asked Nutritional Scientist & Educator, Mika Harada, to answer some of your common health questions and get you on track for a new normal healthy routine.

“I’m so bloated.”

Spending more time at home can mean more time sitting and eating foods outside of your typical meals. Many people are also shopping for groceries less often, meaning you might be forgetting some of your usual healthy foods, like fresh vegetables and fruit, on your list. “Make a detailed list of the healthy foods you love, and have a game plan for how you are going to use them,” Mika Harada says. “If you’re still feeling bloated, reach for a probiotic which can help to regulate your digestion and get rid of that bloated feeling,” she adds.

“I need an energy boost!”

“You might be having trouble sleeping, which can be due to a lack of movement in the day, or spending too much time on screens close to bedtime,” Mika says. Power down your devices two hours before bed and try to find other ways to incorporate movement into your day. This can include standing up every hour to stretch, carving out some time on your lunch break to go for a walk outside, or setting aside time to do an online workout class you love.

If video meetings take up a large part of your day, either through working from home or for fun, ‘zoom fatigue’ might be at play. “It’s a real thing,” Mika says. “People are feeling much more exhausted by video conferencing, as it can take more effort than face-to-face interaction.” Yes, this means even your video catch-ups with friends can be draining. Keep this in mind when you’re building your schedule, and remember it’s okay to space out your video calls.

Still feeling exhausted? Try a superfood like greens+ by Genuine Health which has been proven to provide energy. “I like to take it first thing in the morning, or in the mid-afternoon when I’m feeling sluggish,” Mika Harada says.

“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,” Harada says. Not only will probiotics help to reduce bloating, but they will also support a healthy immune system (since up to 80% of your immune cells and tissues are found in your gut). “Plus, probiotics have been shown to reduce the severity and duration of respiratory tract infections,” she says. Look for multi-strain probiotics including Genuine Health’s advanced gut health probiotic, since multiple strains can help to promote a more diverse gut ecology (and a healthy immune system).

“Next, look for a superfood that helps fill nutrient gaps, improves energy and supports the immune system,” Mika Harada adds. “One thing people don’t realize is that an acidifying diet (read: comfort foods) is taxing on the immune system.” By adding a superfood like greens+, you can not only improve your energy, but you are also helping to push your body towards a more alkaline, healthier state. Drink a glass of Genuine Health’s greens+ every day, which has been proven to combat the acid load from diet. If you’re looking for extra immune support, greens+ multi+ and greens+ bone builder have added Vitamin D.

“I keep forgetting to take my supplements.”

A disrupted routine often means you’re forgetting to take your supplements. “If you used to take your supplements at breakfast before heading out in the morning, but now you’re working from home, you’ll want to start thinking about new strategies to help you remember,” Mika Harada says. Look at where you’re storing your supplements and find new places where they will be visible. Try placing supplements that don’t need to be refrigerated in a place where you will see them, like on your desk or beside your bed.

For refrigerated supplements, try grouping them together in the fridge and try to find a new time of day where it makes sense to take them based on your needs. If you’re adding greens+ to a breakfast smoothie or mixing it with water in the afternoon when you need an energy boost, remember to grab your probiotics and/or fish oil at the same time.