Start a simple health regime today

By Mercedes Kay Gold, CNP, CPT

Cliché or not, its during our darkest moments we must focus to see the light. Buddha’s words come quickly to mind during COVID. With the landscape of daily life constantly changing, 2020 has been a rollercoaster of hope and fear for many. Focusing on what we can change is more important now than ever. Health is a wealth of happiness, allowing you to face the world head-on. This is the absolute best time to make lifestyle choices that support stress. It’s never too late to embrace new alternatives or renew healthy habits. Let go of power watching new series and sipping chardonnay for body-loving moving and menu upgrades.

Water is life. Whether you are working from the office or at a makeshift desk surrounded by chaos in your living space, water is essential to hydrate, lubricate and support digestion and detox. Warm up all winter long with holiday inspired flavored teas. Peppermint, cinnamon, spiced chai, apple and pumpkin herbal teas promote wellness while ensuring you drink at least 30ml of water per kilogram of body weight daily.

Exercise is essential. We are not designed to sit. Gyms may be closed, but nature is one big treadmill with a city or nature view. Locked inside and fearful to venture out is no excuse for sitting 24 hours a day. There are many exercises that require nothing but your fabulous self to burn calories and build muscle. Squats, lunges, jumping jacks, push-ups and incorporating a can of soup for arm exercises will have the heart pumping in no time.

COVID is not an excuse to eat junk food. Love yourself enough to stop ordering Uber Eats and begin personally preparing nutrient-dense snacks and meals. Focus on adding more plant-based meals, leaving out animal protein, and instead opting for legumes in hearty stews, soups and chilis. Pump up the power with a wide assortment of healing fresh herbs such as cilantro, parsley, dill and basil.

Start a simple supplement regime today. Integrating all-star antioxidant A-C-E vitamins with a side of D is your best bet to keep the blues at bay during dark short winter days.

Sleep equals repair for the body and mind. Stick to a sleep schedule, turn down the temperature, eliminate distracting noises and lights, put your gadgets to airplane mode, add a sleep mask and visualize the life you want to live.

Self-love is about turning off stress triggers and choosing peace and personal happiness. Limit negativity in every form, from family to friends to the nightly news. Remember what puts a smile on your face and go for it.

Remember every house starts with a good foundation. Making healthy holistic choices day in and day out will have you survive COVID with a smile.

Mercedes Kay Gold is a Certified Holistic Practitioner and Certified Mobile Personal Trainer living and working in Toronto. Her writing has been featured in various publications and has appeared on Daytime with Jacqueline Betterton. She spends her spare time blogging about all things healthy and enjoying time with her sons. She can be reached at mercedeskaygoldfitness@gmail.com or visit www.mercedeskaygold.com