It seems like everyone is going a little crazy right now. That crazy may be for different reasons and may take different forms. Maybe you’re going stir crazy because you can’t go anywhere. Maybe you’re slowly going crazy trying to teach your kids algebra. Maybe you’re in some kind of weird limbo where you’re not sure what day it is because your day is just one Zoom meeting after another (I am here). It doesn’t really matter what the reason is; all of this craziness can cause stress, depression, weight issues, and a host of other problems. It’s important that we support our body and its processes, but even more so when we’re in a near-constant state of stress.
Upheavals like the current self-isolation rules, or situations where you have little to no control, can be hard mentally. But that mental stress can cause fatigue, hormone imbalance, and even feelings of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). While these issues will probably ease when the world gets back to something resembling normal, they are impacting your life on a regular basis today. Staying healthy in uncertain times should be a priority for all of us. I’ve put together some ideas to help you stay healthy while you are dealing with ongoing stress.
Stay Keto
It’s surely tempting to give into the urge to veer away from keto. In some places, we’ve dealt with a lack of food choices. Overall, stress has made it easier to say “Oh, just this once…” when it comes to carbs. I know I’ve done it. People who find a bit of alcohol relaxing after a hard day at work may find it easy to over-indulge, which further drops your willpower. While the occasional moments of weakness will happen, it’s important that by and large, you stay the course. If you find yourself really enjoying that cheeseburger from the McDonald’s drive-through (ahem), make sure that you get right back to keto with your next meal. Remember the reasons why you started keto. That brings me to my next point…
Forgive Yourself
If you do actually give in to temptation, forgive yourself. Listen, we’ve all been where you are right now. That person who really enjoyed McDonald’s was me. It wasn’t my best choice, but it was tasty. And you know what? I ate what I ate, and then I went right back to keto. But the most important part was that I forgave myself for that one mistake. If you’re beating yourself up because you slipped up for one meal, or even if you fell off the wagon, set it on fire, and roasted marshmallows in the flames, then you’re going to be dealing with even more stress and negativity in your life. And darn it, there’s enough of that in our lives right now. So acknowledge that you made a mistake, then move past it with a forgiving heart.
Get Good Food in Your Body
Even if you’ve fallen off the keto bandwagon, you can still make healthy food choices. If you can’t buy lean meats, eggs, or fish for your protein sources, make sure that the food you are eating is as close to keto as you can get. Focus on fresh produce. Salads and foods like spinach, stir fry, and cabbage are great ways to eat healthy even in challenging times. As of this writing, most of my local stores are back to being close to fully stocked. The shelves may be a little lean, but by and large, I can plan and cook healthy keto meals again. To further reduce your stress, try InstaCart or other delivery services so that your groceries can be delivered to your porch.
Reduce Your Stress
I know this is a hard one for a lot of people right now. You’re juggling a lot, and it’s bound to cause some stress. But it’s important to reduce that stress however you can. Take a hot shower. For thirty-five minutes. Every day. Twice a day. If that’s what does it for you, then do it. If you enjoy gaming, then play a game. If going running helps you to chill out, then find a deserted path and go run. If you’re really stuck for ideas, find an empty field, go into the middle of it, and scream into the void. You should probably only do that if you’re reasonably sure that no one is close enough to call the police on you. In fact, scratch that idea and find something a little more productive. Or at least less likely to end up with the police involved.
Keep Up with Your Positive Habits.
Fatty coffee? Yeah, that’s the stuff of life. No matter what else is going on in my life, I make time for my fatty coffee. The MCT oil powder that I use gives me energy and helps my brain fog. A monthly bone broth cleanse is a method that I use as a sort of reboot. It helps keep me focused on my goals and makes it easy for me to remember the benefits of my keto lifestyle. You may need to get creative. If you normally hang out at the gym several days a week, then this isolation has made that impossible. Find a way to make it work for you. Lift canned goods from your kitchen, do sit-ups in the basement or introduce your kids to yoga as a way for them to get their PE time in. If you normally meet a friend every Monday morning for coffee while you support each other in business, have your meetings via Zoom or Skype. If you take the dog on a leisurely walk after work, then you can still do that, although you need to wear your mask and perhaps vary your route. Whatever it is that helps you feel “normal” in these crazy times should be a priority for you.
Do you find that you need support in your keto journey? My Intentionally Bare Keto group, on Facebook, is designed to be a support group. You can join 18,000 other keto’ers as they go through the ups and downs of adapting and following the keto lifestyle!
You got this!
Leta
~ Intentionally Bare
❗️ DISCLAIMER: Health information given here is based on public research and is not meant to take the place of your doctor's advice. Always do your own research and discuss it with your health practitioner before trying a new diet, supplement or exercise plan.
❗️ DISCLOSURE: I manufacture a line of 100% natural keto products under the brand name, Intentionally Bare. These products will be mentioned from time to time because they are amazingly healthy and fantastic for those on a ketogenic diet or anyone looking to improve their health. I am also a participant in the Amazon services LLC Associates Program, designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.** I ONLY ever post a link to products I personally USE and LOVE!
