In these challenging times, we all could use a pick-me-up. The past few months of pandemic-induced stress have been none too kind and ensuring your body and mind are in tip-top shape maybe hasn’t been the immediate worry.

But that’s all changing now. Whether you are going to brave the world and explore some socially-distanced activities or you are still playing it safe at home, you want to look and feel your best. Here are some tips for keeping your routine above board:

Get your wardrobe right

Looking your best is certainly achievable even during the quarantine. You may not be able to get out to the department store to try on all the fashions, so let the fashions come to you. Online clothing stores and subscriptions aim to get a sense of your style and bring you name brands and comfortable outfits without having to leave your home. Stores like ASOS, Topman, Stitch Fix, and others can have you looking sharp. There are even subscription services that will send you t-shirts with various Irish pub-inspired designs every month.

Fill your home with light

Your home is your sanctuary, and you are spending a lot of time there nowadays. The environment can impact your emotional state, and how you interact with the world has a lot to do with your mental stability. In order to maintain a healthy outlook and help feel more positive in today’s stressful environment, try decluttering parts of your home a little at a time — get rid of extraneous objects, do some cleaning, and open a window to let in some fresh air.

If negative energy abounds in your home, creating a vibrant area just for you to use as a decompression zone (by adding bright colors or decluttering the space) can act as a buffer between your mental health and those harsh vibes.

Get your body tight

Exercise has been shown to be beneficial for your mental wellness, as well. Physical and mental wellbeing are closely linked. In fact, many people who experience physical symptoms of tiredness, headache, or stomach cramps could be suffering from depression. Exercise can help men feel better mentally, live longer, and mitigate or prevent diseases like type 2 diabetes and certain cancers.

Perfecting your skincare routine should be part of getting your body right. Taking good care of your skin shouldn’t be something you only do when you have issues. A daily regimen of washing, moisturizing, and preventative measures can help stave off future problems, as well. Learn your skin type, wash your face in the morning and at night, and make sure you never, ever use bar soap for your face. And if you shave regularly, do a scrub of the area beforehand -- this removes dead skin cells and unclogs your pores.

Sustain your might

The food we eat has an impact on our mental health -- so you should make sure you are feeding your body with nutritional meals that also feed your mind. One way to improve mood via food is to increase your intake of Omega-3 fats (i.e., eat more fish), ingest more B vitamins, and watch the amount of sugar you consume. There is a connection between your emotional state and the amount of sugar in your blood; refined carbohydrates are often associated with depression.

The good news is: There are several foods that have been proven to fight depression. Avocados, for instance, contain a lot of good fat and no processed carbohydrates. In addition, a 2014 study found that people who eat a lot of fruits like berries and bananas, vegetables like sweet potatoes, and whole grains are 16 percent less likely to experience depression. Make a salad, an avocado-banana smoothie, or berry sauces to get those nutritious benefits!

The whole picture

Feeling good, looking good -- it’s all about where your comfort levels are. Good luck adventuring out into the world, or on your next Zoom social call.

Visit L’Homme Noir for more engaging, intelligent content about what it’s like to be a Black man in the 21st century.

Contributed by Lisa Walker of neighborhoodsprout.org