Hi lovelies,

The pandemic is by no means over, but it’s safe to say that lockdown won’t be the same again. With restrictions easing in most places and people’s patience at an all-time low, the novelty has worn thin.

Of course, that doesn’t mean that the impact of self-isolation has disappeared completely. In many ways, you’ll come out of the lockdown as a new person as there are lots of lessons to learn. Whether you’re more grateful or healthier, your perspective won’t be the same, and how can it? Nothing like this has happened in this century!

However, regardless of your state of mind and how you view the world, you’ve got to do one thing - prioritize your health. Taking your routine for granted is no longer an option, which is why you should do four things as soon as you get the chance. Continue reading to find out what they are and learn more about them.

Make An Appointment With Your Doctor
Interacting with a medical professional face-to-face has never been harder. If you thought appointments were hard to come by before, you haven’t seen anything yet! Of course, it’s easy to see why surgeries are either booked up or not letting patients into the premises. Still, it doesn’t negate the fact that you haven’t spoken to a doctor in five months.

Considering the world is in the midst of a global health crisis, it makes sense to have a checkup to ensure that everything is fine. Also, it’s vital that you reschedule previous appointments, particularly if they were canceled as a result of COVID-19. Not to scare you, but heart disease and cancer don’t disappear.

The good news is that specialist treatment centers now have guidance on how to reopen without putting patients at unnecessary risk of catching or spreading the coronavirus.

Take Care Of Your Lungs
COVID-19 is a virus that attacks the respiratory system, so it makes sense that you should focus on your lungs. If they are weak, there’s a higher chance of suffering potentially fatal side-effects, and it doesn’t matter how old you are because it’s an indiscriminate illness.

How do you take care of your lungs? You can start by cutting down on the number of cigarettes you smoke per day if you’re a smoker. If you’re already on the quitting bandwagon, you’re still at risk as vaping is also bad for your lungs, so you shouldn’t get complacent. Try and cut down on how often you vape, too. For non-smokers, it’s vital to exercise regularly and tweak your diet.

Consuming more fish is an ideal way to protect your lungs as seafood is high in omega-3 fatty acids. Nuts and leafy greens are also helpful if you’re not a pescatarian.

Listen To Your Body
When you receive a diagnosis, it’s easy to let the shock wash over you. However, if you listen to your body, it will tell you whether there’s a problem well in advance. The key is to watch out for the telltale signs and to take them seriously.

Some are more obvious than others, such as bleeding and vomiting, yet just because the symptoms aren’t urgent doesn’t mean they can’t be painful or long-lasting. One of the biggest tinnitus myths is that the ringing in your ears if that’s how it manifests itself, is a bearable condition. In fact, it depends on the level and intensity because some types of tinnitus are crippling.

With that in mind, you should never underestimate your body’s ability to raise the alarm. If it wasn’t a problem before and it is now, it’s essential and requires treatment. It’s that simple.

Don’t Forget Your Mind
After months of having your rights curtailed, it can be weird to go back to normal. You didn’t see anybody but your family for five months, and now you’re expected to drink and eat next to strangers. Sure, you can choose to stay in, yet who’s going to resist the opportunity? Hardly anyone.

Therefore, it’s crucial to remember that your brain may work differently for a while until it’s used to its surroundings again. You may struggle to interact the same, you may not have the same spring in your step, and you may be more introverted than previously. In this case, don’t forget that socializing face-to-face, even if it’s while wearing a mask and for thirty-minutes, is an excellent way to increase your tolerance. Practice makes perfect, people!

What are you going to prioritize once the lockdown ends and you can move around freely?