As the deadly COVID-19 pandemic affects lives all over the world, the lockdown of the entire nation was probably the best decision taken by the Government of India on 24th March 2020 to slow down the spread of the virus.
The Coronavirus quarantine has led people to indulge in self-care, work from culture, practice social distancing and keep in touch with the world through digital mediums.
As this culture is new for everyone, people are likely to make crucial mistakes when staying inside that are causing many sorts of health issues.
It is a widely-known fact that you have to keep yourself healthy to stay protected from any infections. But, in this crisis time, it has become a supreme concern to take care of your well-being.
This is a high time to take the virus seriously as it has taken a firm grip all over the world and leaves no room for mistakes.
Well, we are here to help you out.
After a bit of research, we have listed a few common mistakes that you may be making while in lockdown. Let’s watch out for them and stay alert!
- Not Exercising Enough
Too much relaxation and becoming a couch potato weakens the power of the immune system to fight off viruses and other harmful diseases.
On the other hand, working out regularly flushes the harmful bacteria from the body and reduces your chance of getting infections.
For that reason, spend at least 60 minutes regularly exercising at home.
Find any home workout routine on YouTube that you enjoy the most and stick to it for the entire lockdown period to improve your overall health and immune system.
- Eating Unhealthy Food
As many of us are reaching for sugary or junk food to comfort ourselves, weight gain while quarantined is quite likely. A research report has found that junk food upsets the body’s defense mechanism against infections.
According to Stat news, people with a weak immune system are at higher risks of contracting symptoms. So, you need to fill up your body with healthy and nutrient-enriched foods to support the immune system.
Include the following healthy foods into your diet to live healthily.
- Green leafy vegetables
- Fruits especially citrus and berries,
- Plain Yogurt
- Dry fruits especially almonds
- Turmeric
- Sunflower and chia seeds
- Not Being Productive
The key to living healthily and happily in the lockdown is to be productive.
You are doing it wrong if you are not taking advantage of it if you don’t invest your time wisely.
You have plenty of time at home to enhance your creative skills, learn new things, or partake in anything else that makes you happy and keeps your mind occupied.
Being productive aids in improving your mood and also motivates the people around you to evolve into a better version of their self too!
- Not Getting Enough Sleep
As people are locked inside, they are reaching towards their electronic devices as their main source of entertainment.
Usage of digital devices for long hours affects sleep quality, especially before bedtime. It makes it harder for you to switch off and reduces the beneficial effects of sleep as well.
As well as this, poor sleep is linked to a reduced immune system, anxiety, weight gain, depression and many more underlying health issues.
Therefore, getting a good night’s rest is significant to eliminate long-term or short-term health problems and strengthen the immune system as a whole.
- Not Staying Hydrated
You need to be extra careful with your health during the lockdown. Every small step that you take towards your health further impacts your physical and mental health.
Staying hydrated is one such important health tip that you need to take care of.
Dehydration causes dizziness, headaches, weakness etc. whilst drinking enough water everyday improves sleep quality, mood, and maintains the proper functioning of the entire system.
Sip on fresh juices, coconut water, lassi or lime water as alternatives to sugary drinks to balance the hydration levels of your body.
- Taking Care of Stress
The outbreak of the virus is breeding stress, anxiety and fear among all of us. This level of stress can affect your sleep, mental health and increase risk of many health problems.
Although coping with stress amid the global pandemic is challenging, it doesn’t mean that it’s impossible.
The good news is, if you handle stress effectively, you will become stronger and can help to reduce the stress level inside your house.
Take care of yourself and your whole family by reassuring everyone that everything will be fine soon.
- Not Following Basic Personal Hygiene
The simplest and basic way of reducing the risk of Coronavirus is maintaining personal hygiene at home.
Wash your hand using soap for at least for 20 seconds and repeat it during short intervals. You can also use sanitizers on your hands when coming from outside or after touching any potentially infected surface.
It is an important step to clean your house and keep it Coronavirus free. Sanitation is an important step to maintain hygiene and stay protected.
Make it a habit to use disinfecting wipes to clear mobiles, laptops, TV screens, and other surfaces. Even if your family is healthy, it is necessary to take the required precautions to keep them that way.
Final Thoughts
Doctors, nurses, midwives and the entire healthcare system are risking their lives and working tirelessly to save ours. Let’s not let their hard work go to waste.
On a final note, switch to a healthier lifestyle and do not repeat or make the mistakes of the past.
The overload of information regarding Coronavirus could perhaps make you stressed, anxious, and worried. But, remember that all of this is temporary and we can fight it together by adhering to the government appeals.
The longer we stay indoors, the sooner it will end!