This article was published on August 13th, 2020

Now that the COVID-19 pandemic is in full swing around the world, it’s more important than ever before to focus on your physical and mental health, and to adhere to some essential health habits that will help you and your loved ones stay safe throughout the year. Whether you’re already battling a chronic illness and you can’t afford to catch the virus, or if you’re simply trying to stay as healthy as you can be in your everyday life, there is no denying that there are some key pillars of overall health that you can stick to in order to minimize risk and become happier, even if you’re stuck in quarantine all day long. 

However, it’s important that you focus equally on your mental and physical health, because too often we will focus too much on one of these aspects and neglect the other, which can lead to stress, anxiety, and a lower quality of life in general. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the five healthy habits all gay men should uphold. 

Safe sex equals a healthy life

Let’s start with the obvious question that comes to mind – sex. How are you supposed to behave now that there is an increased risk of catching the coronavirus? Whether you have a steady partner or if you’re currently engaged with multiple partners, you have to stay safe at all times to prevent the transmission of the virus, and to minimize the risk of catching an STD. Remember, healthy sex habits lead to a healthy life.

First up, you have to make sure that you or your partner are not exhibiting any symptoms of the virus, or any other illness. Next, always make sure to use adequate protection, and if you find yourself between the sheets with a new lover, then you need to practice safer positions (so that you don’t face each other all the time), and you could even wear face masks – hey, it can be exciting. 

Finding yourself through travel

If there is anything that gay men often struggle with, it’s finding a sense of self and your unique place under the stars. This is something that particularly troubles the minds of those who have just come out to their friends, family, and even long-term partners of the opposite sex. All of this can be very confusing and it can produce a lot of stress and anxiety very quickly, so you need a break from it all.

The best thing you can do is to find yourself through travel, but if you’re unable to visit other countries, you can always travel locally to queer-friendly destinations to cleanse your mind and reconnect with your inner self. 

Exercising and eating right

Proper diet and exercise are paramount to long-term health and happiness, and even though your primary goal might be to get jacked and look amazing, there is no denying that feeling healthy and strong is a wonderful side-effect. First up, be sure to tidy up your nutrition and get your supplementation in order. Focus on getting enough protein into your system every day by supplementing your meals with a whey protein powder that you can take after your workouts.

And speaking of working out, if you’re able to hit the gym, that’s great, but if you’re stuck at home, make sure to stick to a rigorous home-workout schedule to keep your gains and maintain or lower your body fat levels. This will now only make you feel healthy, but it will ensure you look amazing when the time comes to get back to civilization. 

Focusing on your emotional well-being

We tend to get teased a lot by our straight friends that we love drama, but in reality, no gay man should live with drama in their personal and professional circles. Although a little drama can spice things up in certain situations, it’s actually much more destructive than you think, and it can take a heavy toll on your emotional and psychological well-being. So, be sure to eliminate the negativity from your life by staying away from emotional vampires, practice self-healing through meditation, learn to relax, and most importantly, be good to yourself.

Take good care of your skin

Last but definitely not least, every gay man should know how to take good care of his skin. What you need is a good exfoliating cleanser, an after-shave, some night-time eye cream, and of course, a good moisturizer. Learn to use these products in the morning and before bed to keep your complexion looking radiant and to avoid a trip to the dermatologist.

Wrapping up

Health should be the number one priority for every modern gay man, especially now that the COVID-19 pandemic is still raging strong around the world. Be sure to uphold these five habits and you will stay healthy inside and out.