The second wave of COVID-19 has again taken the world by storm. The news channels again flashing the rising cases and death rates in different geological areas. However, the spread of new variants being highly infectious and targeting the whole families including elderly and children has raised more concern from parliament to living rooms across the world. Also, several countries’ call for help with oxygen shortage and doses of COVID-19 vaccines have certainly made the second wave of coronavirus more gruesome.
#HealthyAtHome without altering your routine
However, amidst all the negative news World Health Organization (WHO) has started the #HealthyAtHome initiative by publicizing a comprehensive guide to help people staying healthy while staying home. And no, it doesn’t end with physical activity and a healthy diet. In fact, these are the starters for healthy you.
According to WHO, these five factors play a major role in an individual’s overall health, especially during the pandemic.
- Physical activity
- Mental health
- Quitting tobacco
- Healthy eating
- Healthy parenting
Rightly so, humans are social beings, we strive for warmth and affection from our friends and family more. Although following social distancing in the current situation is necessary to keep our loved ones safe, we can certainly take some measures to ensure our and our family’s health while staying home.
So, without further ado here is the advisory guide by WHO to ensure you and your family stay #HealthyAtHome.
Step 1: Physical Activity
Once again people have shifted their office to home deeply altering the routine. For the most of us, planning for the day’s work schedule and managing effective business meetings has taken over our morning exercise. It has become tougher for the individuals who were physically inactive before the pandemic.
However, it’s proven that physical activity plays a major role in improving immunity and preventing and managing critical conditions such as diabetes, blood pressure, and heart diseases. American Society for Nutrition mentions the major benefits of being physically active.
- Managing and relieving stress and anxiety.
- Improving immune system function.
- Preventing and reducing critical diseases and health conditions.
- Weight management
- Improving bone and muscle strength as well as balance and flexibility.
- Reducing behavioral issues in children and help improve their concentration.
However, from doing work from home to managing house chores and tending to family needs and demand of extra time how can you make time for exercise? Simply follow these easy ways to help you re-introduce physical activity in your routine with some fun during the lockdown.
- Take a short break between work and do some light physical activity for 3-4 minutes such as stretching or walking.
- Start your morning by bringing family together over yoga to start the day on the right foot.
- Include breathing exercises in your evening me-time standing on the balcony or by the window whilst enjoying a cool breeze.
- Turn your weekend bonding time with friends and family under the same roof or over video call into fun and easy exercise sessions.
Step 2: Mental Health
Staying mentally healthy is as important as staying physically active. And with people experiencing overwhelming anxiety, stress, and fear during COVID-19 mental health has become even more important to stay healthy and fight the coronavirus infection.
During this overwhelming time, WHO advises maintaining social distancing as well as social contact. Staying connected to your friends and family over the phone, messages, and video calls.
WHO has more such easy tricks to help you keep away from unnecessary stress during the pandemic:
- Keep informed with the advice and guidelines from your national and local authorities. Follow only trusted news channels such as national and local TV and radio.
- Follow a routine as you would do on regular days or make a new routine suitable to you during quarantine.
- Minimize newsfeed that makes you feel distressed or anxious.
- Help the needy people in your community in these tough times also support health workers by taking opportunities online or over-call by appreciating their efforts during COVID-19.
- Try laughter therapy.
Just like our immune system laughter is mankind’s coping mechanism from mental issues. While coronavirus is contagious so is laughter. We recommend Very Well Mind’s list of ways to add humor to your life. Here you will find more and easier ways to add humor than watching comedy shows online.
Step 3: Quitting Tobacco
According to WHO, smokers are at high risk of COVID-19 infection as they constantly put their hands to their lips. Also, even the severity of COVID-19 is high in smokers due to their lungs’ impaired function.
As much as people wish, we know quitting tobacco is easier said than done. However, following the D4 technique suggested by WHO will certainly help reduce your craving.
- Delay your urge as long as you can.
- Deep breathe to relax yourself to pass the urge.
- Drink water whenever you feel like smoking.
- Distract yourself by taking a walk, or shower, read your favorite book or listen to music.
Step 4: Healthy Eating
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, most people have already shifted their eating habits to a healthy platter of food. The series of lockdowns and restrictions on restaurants and eateries also the hygiene concerns have encouraged many to try their hands in the kitchen.
While the fresh homecooked meal is certainly a step towards healthy eating being conscious about what and how much we eat is also important. According to WHO, no food or dietary supplements can act as a cure or prevention to COVID-19. However, a healthy diet certainly helps improve your immunity. WHO suggests a detailed list of what to serve and what not to serve on your plate during the pandemic which includes reducing sugar and salt intake and adding a variety of fresh vegetables and fruits.
Step 5: Healthy Parenting
COVID-19 pandemic has affected children in more ways than one. With kids forced to stay at home cutting back their outdoor activities and online school with the uncertainty of exams and academic schedule kids are getting more agitated and demanding more time from their parents. Most kids are spending their free time playing video games and watching TV which has further increased other behavioral and health issues in the younger generation.
Then again, they are not fully capable to understand the severity of the pandemic. How would you as a parent get them to understand the COVID-19 situation without overwhelming them with information? TheSchoolRun.com has an answer for you in the list of best children’s books about coronavirus. Here you can find books, games, and other fun resources to keep your little ones engaged in fruitful activities at home without worrying about what they are exposed to.
In conclusion
So, with this comprehensive guide by WHO added with other informational resources this time you are set to abide by these easy ways to ensure your and your family’s overall health without altering your lockdown routine. This too shall pass if we stay #HealthyAtHome.