It’s important to do everything that we can to stay healthy during the Corona Virus outbreak. We can easily fall into unhealthy habits and routines during this time. Since we’ve all been urged to stay home, it can be tempting to sit on the couch and do nothing all day. However, we must do everything in our power to stay physically and mentally healthy.
Aside from washing your hands and social distancing; here is a list of things you can do to look after yourself during these times:
• Maintain a healthy and balanced diet
Currently, there is no vaccine or cure for the Corona Virus. This means that the onus is on us to eat as healthily as possible in order to boost our immune systems. It’s especially important for people with chronic illnesses to eat a balanced diet as they are even more prone to getting sick.
There’s no need to strictly follow a specific diet. At the moment, the most important thing is to consume whole foods like fruit, vegetables and wholegrains. Health professionals recommend staying away from processed foods too. In addition to maintaining a healthy diet, it helps to avoid smoking tobacco and drinking alcohol. Both of these practices can compromise your health very quickly.
• Get enough sleep
One of the best ways to stay healthy is to make sure you get enough sleep. If you get enough hours of sleep, you’ll feel refreshed and ready to start the day. Sleep has a very important role to play in terms of replenishing the body. While we sleep, our mind is able to rest and our body regains energy.
Make sure that you’re getting quality sleep too. Try to avoid medicinal sleeping aids and stay off your computer and cell phone before bed. The goal is for your body to develop a natural sleeping pattern.
• Exercise regularly
There are so many benefits that come with exercising regularly. It’s amazing for your body and your mental health. Most of us don’t have much exercise equipment at home. However, there are plenty of body exercises that you can do at home which don’t require any equipment.
If you don’t usually exercise, it’s okay to ease yourself into the process of regular exercise. As little as 10 minutes a day of moving your body can make all the difference.
• Stay in contact with friends and family
During lockdown in South Africa, it’s not advisable to unnecessarily visit friends and family. However, if you are able to connect with them via texting and calls, please do so. It helps us to stay positive and healthy when we connect with those we love. It’s also reassuring when you can see that those around you are carrying on with their lives. Connecting with friends and family creates a sense of normalcy.
Staying healthy during the Covid-19 pandemic will be slightly different for everyone. It all depends on what your lifestyle was before and how easily you can adapt to changes. At the end of the day, committing to staying healthy will make a difference in the long-run. Perhaps you can use this time to develop healthy habits that can be maintained in future.