This entry in the Swole quarantine series answers a few questions relating health to healthy relationships during the pandemic. I’m hearing this same question a lot lately, “how can I stay healthy during quarantine?”
There are also quite a few people asking, “how can I keep my marriage strong during quarantine?”
If you think about it, those answers go hand-in-hand. Staying healthy in a stay-at-home lockdown is equally important for survival as it is for maintaining a solid relationship with your partner.
In any relationship, it is important to maintain a state of balance between work, health, communication, activities, alone-time, and so-on. This is especially applicable even when it comes to marriage. As important as it is to spend time together, find common interests, and indulge in shared activities, the importance of personal space and having time to yourself cannot be undermined. Having to stay indoors all the time, it is normal to feel frustrated, cranky, and even depressed at times.
When you are not feeling at your best, your mental state will likely be reflected in your behavior and projected to your partner. A healthy mind resides in a healthy body and although it is very easy to get off track in the absence of a routine, make sure to take out time to do activities that will keep you and your partner physically and mentally fit resulting in a healthy relationship and even stronger bond.
Here are a few health tips that you should practice during quarantine in order to keep your marriage healthy and thriving.
Eat a Healthy and Balanced Diet
A healthy and well-balanced diet rich in all required nutrients can keep you physically fit and also boost your immunity. Since you are more likely to adopt a sedentary lifestyle during the quarantine, portion control while ensuring the intake of all vital nutrients can keep you physically and mentally fit. It can also significantly boost your mood leading to a better relationship with your spouse.
Maintain a Workout Routine
It is easy to spend all day in your pajamas, eat junk food, and turn into a couch potato when you do not have anything to look forward to. However, it is important to keep a workout routine. You can partner up with your spouse and do a couple of workouts. Physical activity is also associated with a boost in the release of several neurotransmitters, the major regulators of mood and energy levels.
Look After Your Mental Health
As we are trying to adjust to the new reality of our quarantine life, it is normal to feel stressed and down. If these feelings are allowed to prolong, they can turn into serious mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. Your behavior is often a projection of your mental state which is why you should look for any unusual changes in your or your spouse’s behavior. Reach out to them, talk to them, and keep them busy with healthy activities. Although distanced, we are still connected in more ways than not. Video chat with your friends and extended family and if the situation does not improve, seek online counseling.
Limit Alcohol Consumption
During quarantine, day drinking has become a norm for most of us. It is important to keep your and your spouse’s drinking frequency in check. In addition, do not take any drugs that have not been prescribed to you in an attempt to deal with anxiety, fear, or any other negative feelings. Excessive day drinking and drug use is certainly one way to ensure you do NOT stay healthy during the quarantine.
Seek Marriage Counseling
If it is getting too overwhelming and none of the tips are helping, do not hesitate to seek online marriage counseling. Check out this helpful information on the benefits of getting quality marriage counseling if you think counseling is the next best step: https://www.regain.us/advice/marriage/ free-marriage-counseling-you-get-what-you-pay-for/.
As a matter of fact, quarantine is taking a toll on all of us. However, we are all in this together and although physically distanced, we can stay connected via technology. Maintaining a routine and keeping your spouse in the loop will not merely make you survive the quarantine but come out of it stronger.
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