No one is spared from the continuing challenges brought about by the pandemic — not even singer, Miss Universe 2018, and cultural advocate Catriona Gray.
During the whole lockdown period, Gray has not been living in the same home as her family. Work did not stop for the multi-hyphenate too, which is why she has to continue to take care of her health now more than ever.
Asked about what she has been doing to cope and look after herself these past few months, the 26-year-old shared that though the world has changed, the smallest activities — although mostly done online — help her get by.
“It has been difficult for me to find time to workout because it’s all become virtual. I do a lot of Pilates virtually because I have back problems and it really helps me with my posture as I’m always in heels,” Gray answered The Manila Times during the virtual launching of her newest endorsement.
Thankfully never experiencing a serious illness, she has seen the effects of her lack of sleep because of work and when she does not eat the healthiest food. Gray mentioned that there were times when she feels sluggish because of the nature of her job, reason why she regularly takes Vitamin C supplements.
With this, matched with her strong advocacy for supporting Filipino talent, Gray was tapped to become the newest celebrity ambassador for Santé, a homegrown distribution and direct-selling company that offers organic health and wellness products.
The beauty queen was tapped for the Daily C brand, a convenient non-acidic supplement best for families and young professionals who work all day. This extra dose of Vitamin C aids the immune system and adds an extra level of protection, which is why Gray said that she always carries around a packet given her heavy workload.
In addition to that, she believes that taking care of her mental health is just as important.
“Mental health naman — it has been so difficult to navigate. I think a lot of us can relate that it has been quite an isolating season. Especially me, I’m away from my parents, I’m an only child. That has been a really hard thing to go through for almost nine months na,” Gray explained.
“But it’s really just finding whatever way I can to stay in contact with them. Mostly it is through virtual [which is a] way that I can find that can keep that interaction. It makes so much difference,” she said.
“And then aside from that, finding time to really check in with myself and how I feel, how am I coping, just having those moments of really [asking myself] like, ‘if I’m not okay, what can I do about it?’ Rather than ignoring it and putting it on the backburner so that it develops into something worse.”
And to further prevent the spreading of any harmful symptoms among the people she works and interacts with, Gray believes that in wearing masks, washing hands, practicing social distancing, as well as looking at the food being eaten, and taking other safety precautions seriously also means that “it’s protecting ourselves, but it’s also respecting our family, our community, and looking out for everyone.
“Check in with yourself. Surround yourself with good energy and the people that you love,” she ended.