If you’re like many other individuals and families across the country, your life is quite different than it was before the pandemic hit. Even if you’re venturing out into public, social distancing measures, capacity limits, and other restrictions have completely changed what it means to go out. You might be struggling with boredom, loneliness, and stress. And if you’re mostly staying cooped up at home, these feelings are probably even more severe.

Fortunately, there are things you can do to address these issues. By taking care of yourself, whether at home or in public, you can get to where you look and feel the best you have in a long time. And it doesn’t have to be complicated. RiskAverse is all about helping people achieve a healthy lifestyle, which is why we’ve listed a few simple tips for improving how you look and feel during the pandemic:

Prioritize your oral health.

Your dental health is connected to many other parts of your body. Unhealthy teeth and gums can lead to various diseases — from cardiovascular disease to endocarditis to pneumonia.

Poor oral health can also lead to depression and vice versa. More time at home provides the perfect opportunity to stay on point with daily brushing and flossing, ensuring your beautiful smile will shine when the time comes to de-mask. Of course, brushing and flossing aren’t enough if you have dental concerns like crooked teeth. When your teeth are misaligned, they are more difficult to clean, and you’re more likely to experience additional bacteria and plaque.

If misaligned teeth are keeping you from better oral health, an alignment system could be the perfect solution. Over time, aligners help shift and straighten your teeth. There are several different aligner brands, as well as at-home and in-office options. At-home treatments are less expensive, require less time for results, and are more convenient for everyday use. For example, the Byte treatment system only costs $1,895, and works well for minor misalignment – you can see results in as few as three months. If your teeth are severely misaligned, however, you may need in-office treatment, and can expect results to take longer.

Drink lots of water.

Our bodies are 50 to 60% water. Not surprisingly, our bodies function best when we drink plenty of water throughout the day. If you consume sugary or dehydrating beverages, consider replacing some of those with water. Even naturally-essenced sparkling water counts! And drink a glass of water first thing each morning.

To make this a habit that sticks, invest in a large reusable water bottle that’s handy to keep around. Consider also setting up a reminder app on your phone like Hydro Coach or Water Minder. Before you know it, you’ll see the amazing benefits of hydration, from glowing skin to improved physical stamina to fewer headaches and maybe even weight loss.

Wake up earlier.

It’s hard to get into a good routine that helps you look and feel your best when everything is rushed. Give yourself more time to prepare physically and mentally for each day by establishing an earlier waketime. Whether you want to exercise, sit down with coffee, write in your journal, or do anything else that helps you start off your day strong, make time for it. This can be especially helpful if you have kids and find it difficult to get time to yourself during the day.

Go to bed earlier.

When you wake up earlier than you’re used to, you’ll quickly realize you need to go to bed earlier, as well. Sleep is essential, and it should never be sacrificed when you’re busy or overwhelmed. For your body and mind to function at full capacity, you should be getting seven to nine hours of sleep each night.

Along with creating a bedtime, come up with a routine that helps you fall asleep and stay asleep. Whether it’s taking a long bath, eating sleep-friendly foods, watching a documentary, or practicing meditation in your bedroom, figure out a relaxing activity to do before climbing in bed. Just be sure to cut off screen time at least an hour before you tuck in for the night.

There’s never been a time when taking steps to improve your health and well-being has been more critical. Remember to care for your dental health, drink more water, and make adjustments to your wake time and bedtime. Whether you choose to stick around the house or venture out into public, these simple-but-significant habits will go a long way toward helping you look and feel your best.

Want to stay on top of your health? Assess your health risks at RiskAverse now and start taking control of your well-being.