Vitamins and medicine | Photo by Jessica Fugett | The Wright State Guardian
Staying home can affect a person’s mood and energy levels, and it’s easy to feel a little low while doing classes online and practicing social distancing.
That’s why it’s important to eat foods and take vitamins that give a boost of energy and even support a healthy immune system.
Foods
Raw walnuts
According to Today, the magnesium in walnuts helps fight off depression. Walnuts also contain antioxidants for good health and are low in carbohydrates to prevent a sugar spike and, ultimately, a sugar crash. Don’t like eating walnuts by themselves? Try them on a salad or in trail mix.
Coffee
A college student’s dream: being told to drink coffee.
According to Today, the caffeine in coffee boosts alertness, aiding in working from home with a lot of distractions. Don’t consume too much caffeine though, limit coffee intake to two cups a day and try to avoid added sugar which can lead to sugar crashes later in the day.
Apples
According to Everyday Health, in order to keep a positive mood all day, foods high in fiber are a must. Fibrous foods digest slowly, meaning stable energy levels. Apples are easy, versatile and full of fiber. Try adding apples to morning oatmeal, which is also high in fiber, or for a late-night snack with peanut butter.
Peanut Butter
Speaking of peanut butter, it’s high in protein which, according to Everday Health, is important to stabilize energy levels. Stabilizing energy levels gives more focus and an uplifted mood, perfect for working from home.
Vitamins
Vitamin B12
According to Healthline, vitamin B12 aids in turning food into energy. Vitamin B12 can be consumed naturally through animal protein like meat and dairy. Vegetarians, vegans and others who do not eat a lot of animal products need to supplement their vitamin B12 intake.
Tyrosine
Tyrosine produces neurotransmitters which, according to Healthline, decline during stressful mental activities. According to Healthline, tyrosine does not need to be taken during a normal routine, only when people find themselves in stressful or mentally demanding situations where
taking tyrosine can aid in boosting energy and concentration levels. If students are feeling overly stressed right now, they could benefit from supplementing tyrosine into their diet.
Vitamin C
Oranges and other citrus fruits contain high amounts of vitamin C, known for boosting the immune system. Vegetables like broccoli and spinach also contain high amounts of vitamin C.
Vitamin A
According to the Cleveland Clinic, vitamin A strengthens the immune system to fight against infections. When looking for foods high in vitamin A, Cleveland Clinic advises to think colorful. Carrots, sweet potatoes, and squash are examples of colorful foods high in vitamin A.
The most important thing when working from home and practicing social distancing is to build a routine to follow every day. Including these foods and vitamins into every day routines is an easy way to stay focused and energetic during these unique times.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness spread between people in close contact with each other or through respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing. To protect yourself and those around you, cover coughs and sneezes and avoid contact with the eyes, nose and mouth. Symptoms include fever, cough and shortness of breath, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC.)
