We�re staying home, but are we staying healthy?

Key Points

• Shelter in place orders have created the unintended consequence of people living unhealthier lives
• An unhealthy lifestyle compromises your immune system and can lead to higher risk of catching COVID-19 or increasing the severity of its symptoms
• Social distancing will likely end before a vaccine is available. Until then, your best protection to COVID-19 is to have a strong immune system through a healthy lifestyle

As the COVID-19 crisis continues, cities and states around the world have enacted �shelter in place� regulations, encouraging citizens to �stay home and stay healthy� to slow the spread of the virus. But while we�re doing a great job staying home � we aren�t doing a good job of staying healthy.Recent studies since many states enacted shelter in place acts show:

• Physical activity is down almost 40%.
• Netflix doubled is new users.
• Alcohol sales are up 55%. In fact, an estimated 42% of people are drinking while working.
• Processed foods are making a significant comeback.
• Flour sales are up 155% and baking is on the rise.

Health is more than simply whether you have COVID-19. While local governments have restricted movement and forced fitness centers to close, they�ve classified alcohol as �essential,� loosened rules around its sale and encouraged us to eat takeout food to support our local businesses: a dangerous combination. It�s in our nature to turn to alcohol and comfort foods during times of stress, but this is the opposite of what we should be doing during a health pandemic.Our leaders and the media have focused their attention on social distancing and sanitation as the best ways to mitigate the damage of the coronavirus, but they are missing a� key piece of the puzzle. To truly protect our bodies from COVID-19 and the severity of its infection, we need to strengthen our bodies� natural defenses by focusing on comprehensive, personal health.Here�s how we can do that:Boost your immune system. Research shows you can strengthen your immune system through lifestyle changes such as regular exercise, eating a healthy diet full of fruits and vegetables, managing stress and getting enough sleep. These steps can help prevent illness by strengthening your body�s ability to defend itself from disease-causing microorganisms.Maintain a healthy weight. Obesity may be one of the most important predictors of severe coronavirus illness, especially among younger people, studies show.� In fact, the chance of hospitalization due to COVID-19 for those under age 60 doubles if you are obese; obesity may also increase the risk of dying from the virus.Limit alcohol consumption. Many believe drinking alcohol can help kill the virus; this is false. The World Health Organization recently issued a warning that alcohol consumption can actually increase the risk of catching COVID-19, as well as the severity if you do get it.Exercise regularly. Recent studies show �that not only can exercise strengthen your immune system, but regular exercise may also help prevent one of the major causes of COVID-19-related hospitalization and death: acute respiratory distress syndrome.Until there is a vaccine, there will always be a risk of exposure to COVID-19, even with social distancing. By making these changes to our lifestyles and keeping our bodies as healthy as possible, �you will not only reduce the likelihood of catching COVID-19 and the severity of its impact but you will also help society by reducing the spread and the number of hospitalizations from COVID-19.Our training staff at Flow Fitness can provide you the guidance and accountability you need to help you reach your goals of living a healthier life.� Email info@flowfitnessseattle.com if you would like to speak to someone about how we can help you.