December is here; soon 2020 will be done. It has been an extraordinary time! Covid-19, the highlight of the year, brought a lot of uncertainty and has changed our lives in many ways. Our jobs, school, relationships, and daily rhythms have been disrupted which has been challenging for many of us.

During this pandemic, it might be hard to find joy in your current reality, however joy is about how we are within ourselves. So, to be joyful we must take care of our body!

Follow these tips improve your health and be more joyful within yourself:

• Boost your immunity levels - A great way to have a stronger immune system is to be more in touch with the soil and nature. Studies have found that the soil microorganisms play a crucial role in digestion and immunity, so getting in contact with the soil has the ability to enhance overall wellbeing. Dedicate some time to gardening or walking barefoot in the grass at least once or three times a week. 
• Eat more fruits and vegetables - Make sure to include fruits and vegetables in your diet. Fruits and vegetables are rich in a variety of immune supporting nutrients. Even though some vitamins are lost when food is cooked, others become more available for your body to use. So eat a variety of raw and cooked fruits and veggies.
• Drink enough water - you are 72% water! It is recommended to drink 3 to 4 liters of water daily, however, “there’s no-one-size fits all answer.” So drink water when you feel thirsty; the body will decide how much to absorb or excrete. 
• Exercise -  Being active has shown to have many positive health outcomes, both physically and mentally. It is one of the best things you can do to maintain strong muscles and bones, improve brain function and memory, and improve mood while reducing feelings of anxiety and depression. The recommendation is 150 minutes of activity per week, at a brisk walk pace, but just shoot for whatever fits in to your lifestyle! Keep your eyes open for the little opportunities that allow you time to move more! 

Sharing Joy

Even though we cannot have large holiday gatherings with our families, we can still share with them! Here are some tips on how to share joy with your family and friends:

• Cook for them - Cooking for friends or family is an act that shows that we care about them, and it makes us all feel happy and connected!
• Write a letter - With many zoom calls and constant screen exposure, writing a letters is a fun and creative alternative; everyone likes to get mail!
• Invite members of your social pod for walks or bike rides to enjoy the few sunny days of this season together! Joyful and a good way to exercise and get your steps in.

2020 has not been the greatest of the year but it came to help us slow down and realize that we should be taking better care of our health and the planet. If this pandemic would have never happened, would you have been this version of who you are right now?