Have a healthy work from home

As the COVID-19 has found in almost every country in the world, we are all being asked to stay away from crowded spaces. This time that we are spending at home can be a complete game-changer in our own personal lives. If done right, you can find yourself looking version 2.0 in the mirror. As a Nutritionist, I can talk about the power of good food & lifestyle more than anything else in this subject. Here are some healthy habits that you can take up while you work from home. Once you get into the flow of these, you should be able to continue these habits later on as well.

Start making probiotic foods

These are great for your gut. A small portion daily can go a long way. The links below are two recipes that most of my clients are asked to consume on a regular basis.

1. Ragi Koozhu: https://www.thehealthpantry.in/post/koozhu-fermented-ragi-porridge
2. Carrot & Beetroot Kanji: https://www.thehealthpantry.in/post/kanji-the-indian-probiotic-drink

Watch the sunset

This is one habit that we all need to inculcate in our everyday life. Now is a good time to start. Over time, this becomes part of who you are. I find myself planning my day around the sunset (of course, not everyone's schedule would allow that, but you must try). Watching the sunset is meditative, it reduces gluttony, improves memory and mental clarity, improves vision and leaves you feeling calm and energized at the same time. If there is just one new habit you wish to work on during this period, watching the sunset should be the one!

Read a good book

Most of us have a list of books that we never get around to reading. Now is the time for you to get started. You can read about anything from self-help to skill-building to a beautiful fiction novel that takes you to a surreal world somewhere in the clouds. Don't pick up a book that you should be reading, pick up a book that you can absorb you completely.

Personally, I am a fan of non-fiction, self-help books. Here's the list I am following: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/most-searched-products/books/self-help-books-that-you-would-love-to-read-follow/articleshow/72992010.cms?intenttarget=no

DIY body products

I was appalled the day I learned the harmful effects of all the additives our body products contain. To add to that, let's think of the plastic we consume in the name of packaging. Making your own body products is easier than one would think. I make my own sunscreen, lotion, face lotion, body scrubs, lip scrubs, foot cream, hair serum, hair oil blends and sometimes even soap and tooth powder. It is not that difficult, believe me! An Indian kitchen contains most of the ingredients you will require. Just find a recipe that you like and get started. (I use Ayurvedic books for these recipes)

Improve your vision

We are all overusing screens these days. Spending just 5 minutes in the day will do at least damage control. You can follow this routine: https://www.artofliving.org/in-en/yoga/health-and-wellness/yoga-eyes

Make a healthy nut mix

Having a good, homemade nut mix recipe up your sleeve will be a handy trick for this period of work from home as well as once we all go back to our normal routines. The evening 5 pm hunger pang can be fought with the help of a good nut mix recipe. Try a few recipes till you find one you love! Then simply make one big batch. Here are my favorite recipes:

Buckwheat Nut Mix: https://www.instagram.com/p/BzXdchdlwSj/?igshid=1ijwxhh9h7t14

Coconut & Dates Mix: https://www.instagram.com/p/BsXl5wbntYa/?igshid=70yjimlz7g3s

Start sprouting or growing microgreens

You can sprout legumes (mung beans, green gram, rajma, red chana, etc.) as well as leafy vegetable seeds (methi seeds, coriander seeds, fennel seeds). This is a great way of improving the nutrition profile of your daily meals. Also, parents, this is a very good skill to teach your child.

Start a nutrition plan

This could be a great time to inculcate dietary changes that otherwise would seem like a stretch! Once it gets started, continuing the changes will be a breeze for you. I always recommend making permanent changes in the way you approach food and not fall into the vicious circle of diets & starvation. A good nutrition plan is one that keeps you happy, satiated and is built around your routine, preferences, and requirements. You are free to get in touch with us on [email protected] if you wish to understand this better.

Take deep breaths

Every hour, just pause for a few seconds and take 3 deep breathes with close eyes. This will reduce your cortisol levels which in turn will keep you calm, composed and focused throughout the day.

I truly hope this message helped. The idea behind this post is simply to spread the word of health and trying to make it simple for you. We, at The Health Pantry, are constantly working on reintroducing health into our culture. Food, exercise, your mind, water intake, sleep and above all your relationship with your body are the key elements that make up a healthy or unhealthy life.

Have a healthy work from home. All the best!