Readying Ourselves for the Lowcountry To Open Its Doors!

With the state of emergency possibly coming to an end, and the Governor allowing more restaurants, shops, and businesses to open, we need to continue to stay safe and prepare for what's to come. 

Hello everyone! I'm Dr. Bob Salamon with Lowcountry Chiropractic. For this blog, I want to talk about routine and rhythm in your life. If you're like me,  the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have turned our lives upside down. Some people are working from home for the very first time, some people are working a limited schedule, and some people aren't working at all. But, it's very clear that all of us have gotten out of our routines. In my office, we're only working Monday, Wednesday, and Friday right now and off Tuesday and Thursday. It's been a strange schedule to get used to. So I wanted to talk about the things we should be doing from a rhythm and routine standpoint right now that will help us be mentally and physically ready to get back into our normal 9 to 5 routine.

I think we can get complacent because we now have all of this extra time right now and we get less efficient in what we're doing. The worst thing that could happen once things get back to normal is that we can't maintain this new level of inefficiency, because we won't be able to get everything done. At my practice right now, I have a little more time during my workday. So, I'm spending more time talking with my patients than I normally would. This is a great thing, but it might not be the best thing because when things get busier I won't have that time to spend with them. So, I think having a rhythm and routine is a really good thing to focus on getting back to now to help once we do get back to a sense of normalcy. Let's start by chatting about a few things that make up our rhythm and routine and those are nutrition, exercise, rest, and chiropractic care. 

1. Nutrition
A lot of people are cooking more at home now, due to the pandemic. On the other hand, a lot of people are getting sick of cooking at home so they're getting a lot of take out. I would highly suggest staying on your routine when it comes to nutrition during this time. Try and continue to eat well with a diet filled with lots of greens, veggies, and fruits! Try to eat at the same times of the day as you did before all of this set in. Try not to change your eating times too much because your body does like a routine. It is used to it, and some routine is good in your life. Make sure to take your supplements, like Vitamin D3, on top of your balanced diet to keep your immune system strong. Life goes on, and your body doesn't know about COVID-19 and it doesn't understand the changes you may be putting it through because of it. Be good to your body, and stay on track with your nutrition. 

2. Exercise
This is an extremely important factor that you need to maintain in your rhythm and routine. My Crossfit gym has been closed through all of this, so on the days that I would normally go to the gym, I am still allocating the same amount of time I would spend at the gym doing exercises that are similar to that of Crossfit. Instead of doing them at the gym, I'm at the track, at home, and in other safe locations. If you're not in a routine of working out, this is a great time to get started! You want to do something aerobic like walking, running, or biking in your exercise routine but remember to switch it up with some cross-training exercises and keep pushing your body. Add in high-intensity interval training and similar workouts. If you have kettlebells or dumbbells at home, that's a great additive to your workout and is perfect for what you need. But, if you don't have these objects lying around, you can use plenty of others that are very commonly found in your houses like paint cans, laundry detergent bottles, or milk jugs! If you're used to working out in the morning, even if you're not working, still get up to work out. Your body will thank you for it. 

3. Rest and Relaxation
On the same note, in terms of routines, we need to continue to get enough rest and sleep. Maybe some of you have had plenty of rest and sleep through this, but it is still important. Many of us, when we know we don't have to get up in the morning like we normally would, tend to stay up later than normal and watch a few more episodes on Netflix. We end up going to bed much later and getting up much later than normal, which messes up our sleep schedule and sleep patterns. Our bodies are like that 7 to 8 hours of sleep every night. 

 4. Chiropractic Care
Then, of course, the last thing you need is what we specialize in, and that is chiropractic care. I have many people who have continued to come in and get chiropractic care with me for multiple reasons: 

• Optimized health
• Strong Immune System
• Better digestion
• More Energy
• Better Sleep
• Less Pain 

I have had other people in the office who have decided not to come in for the time being because of their concerns with COVID-19. My view is that if people are coming in here and getting adjusted, they are going to be much less likely to wind up in the hospital with the virus. My goal is to keep people out of hospital rooms and clinics by keeping their bodies healthier, naturally. 

Come see us! Get to your chiropractor! Please stay in your routine as best as you can. Whether you're getting adjusted weekly or every two or three weeks, stay in that routine. Try to maintain that schedule and rhythm. I can tell you this, I've had people who've come in recently who have not been adjusted in well over a month when they normally come in regularly, and they have noticed a difference in their bodies:

• They have felt stiffer
• They weren't as pliable
• They've had headaches more frequently
• They have experienced pain that they weren't getting before.

It's very important to stay with a rhythm for those things that are health-giving, like chiropractic care. This is what has been on my heart, and I hope this helps you wherever you might be in your COVID-19 situation. I hope it keeps you on track with what you're doing and please don't get off track too far. When things do start picking up again, your body and your health will appreciate you staying on track. I'm Dr. Bob and I have your back covered!