It is an understatement to say that the pandemic has upended life for everyone on earth, and news of a successful vaccine trial is something that many people wait for eagerly. At the moment there is no vaccine against the SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing the COVID-19 pandemic. The most that people can do to protect themselves is to practice physical distancing and keep themselves healthy.
That is easier said than done, though; physical distancing complicates life. What should be simple steps toward wellness can be difficult to take. For instance, it can be a challenge to eat right. Normally, it’s easy to head to the farmer’s market for fresh produce. With lockdowns and restrictions, one may be forced to eat food that keeps longer, like canned meat and non-perishables.
Staying healthy in a pandemic is difficult, true, but it is manageable. All it needs is better healthcare at a personal level, a few deliberate adjustments, and the adoption of new habits.
Mindfulness about food consumption
It is essential that people avoid panic-buying and stocking up on necessities. This does not help anyone; the community will run out of supplies, and the house that stockpiled the items might not be able to use all of the purchases up anyway. Planning grocery runs around what is currently in a household’s pantry is a better approach.
This is a better time to buy fresh produce, particularly sturdy items like Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and sweet potatoes. For other kinds of vegetables or fruits, a family can buy these fresh, cut them up, and freeze the items for later use. If it cannot be helped, buying canned, dried, or frozen food is alright as long as these are brands with fewer additives.
Continuation of fitness activities
Biking, running, and walking outside are all safe, as long as physical distance requirements are met. For people who cannot leave their homes, there are plenty of virtual classes hosted by gyms, coaches, and fitness instructors. Many of them offer bodyweight-only exercise routines which can be accomplished in 15 to 30 minutes.
Weight training can also be adapted for the home; people can enjoy the health benefits of exercise by using household items. Bottles of water turned into dumbbells, sturdy chairs as step-ups, and dish towels for sliders during lunges or mountain climbers.
Pursuing calming activities
Stress and anxiety management is necessary for getting sleep, which in turn is crucial for general well-being. Yoga, meditation, and speaking to a mental health professional are all proactive ways of managing stress. Furthermore, these are all activities that don’t need plenty of space or equipment. Someone interested in building a mental healthcare routine should consider downloading apps or visiting websites that help with mindfulness.
Alone time should be balanced with social interaction, as well. Loneliness can trigger anxiety as much as stress does; catching up with friends and family through video chats or phone calls will also contribute to a person’s health.
Cleaning
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention maintains that the SARS-CoV-2 is not primarily spread through surface contamination. However, it is good practice to keep one’s home sanitary and to observe frequent hand washing and other guidelines.
While in quarantine, people should have a routine for cleaning the house and disinfecting high-touch places and objects like keys, doorknobs, railings, light switches, mobile devices, and the like. Frequently washing hand towels is also advisable. Homes should also have measures in place for shoes and coats used when traveling outside.
Conclusion
In a pandemic, it is necessary to keep oneself physically and mentally fit. A healthy person will have a strong enough immune response against infection. Furthermore, when there are many people resistant to a virus, it slows down the spread of the infection.
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