Before COVID-19, it was hard enough to stay healthy. Now, with that additional barrier, it’s more difficult than ever before.

But it’s not impossible, even if you’re working from home all day. So keep yourself safe and healthy with these simple strategies:

1. Get Your Flu Shot

Yep. The flu is still a risk, in addition to coronavirus.

If you have to come into contact with others frequently for whatever reason, getting your flu shot should be high on your list of things to do.

Not only will you protect your own health and that of your family. But, you’ll reduce any additional potential burden on the medical system, which could already be overwhelmed with coronavirus cases.

You should also strongly consider the flu shot if you suffer from chronic health conditions.

2. Take Your Vitamins

Yes. Dr. Mom is right on this one. Make sure you get your Vitamin C and Vitamin D, both of which strengthen your immune system.

You don’t need any extravagant or expensive vitamins here. All you need is a daily multivitamin that you can get at your local grocery store or online.

Otherwise, to get the nutrients you need, make sure you eat your veggies, and you should be in good shape.

3. A Little-Known, But Proven, Way to Increase Your Productivity

This may sound a bit odd at first. But, multiple studies from reputable organizations, including NASA, have shown that having green plants around your house increases your productivity.

Why?

First, seeing greenery helps you feel more relaxed and calm. This improves your mood. And of course, when you feel happier, you do more and better work.

A NASA study found green plants can remove up to 87% of air toxins within 24 hours. Your brain notices and rewards you with higher concentration.

And, some green plants, such as succulents, also release more oxygen at night, which improves your sleep quality.

4. Feel Your Feelings, Even If They’re Negative

COVID puts a ton of additional stress on you. You may be stuck completely at home. You may be worn down from constantly having to analyze how risky the simplest social interaction with someone else might be.

It’s frustrating, annoying, and stressful.

Clinical Psychologist Megan McMurray highly recommends feeling, accepting, and allowing those more difficult emotions. Much of society gives you the message that you should only feel positive emotions and try to stuff or avoid the unpleasant ones.

But that’s a recipe for more emotional pain and stress.

Simply take a deep breath, relax, and spend a few minutes each day acknowledging the feelings you have, whether they’re positive, unpleasant, or neutral.

It’s not easy making it through COVID-19 during winter. But it can be done. And hopefully, by the end of the year, society will have made some big strides toward going back to normal again.