Avoiding overeating, staying socially engaged and maintaining a good sleep habit are challenges many of us are facing amid the coronavirus pandemic. Right now, people are staying at home in fear of contracting the deadly virus and in an attempt to “flatten the curve”. Restaurants, schools, gyms and other public places all around the world are closed. As the world attempts to flatten the curve, most of us are feeling increasingly stressed while stuck at home. With this type of situation- anxiety, fear, social distancing, and increasingly difficult economic realities, we become increasingly stressed each day. Many are struggling to maintain healthy habits as we adjust to working from home.
Currently, there’s no approved vaccine yet to combat this deadly disease nor approved treatments available only test trials like the hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin drugs. However, these two drugs promise a very encouraging results against the coronavirus disease and are now gone through the approval process. With that in mind, there are ways that you can exactly do to avoid contracting the coronavirus disease or passing this dangerous disease to others.
Ways to stay well during this outbreak
- Save your fist bumps, handshakes and high five for another day.
- Use your knuckles for elevator buttons, keypads and doorbells.
- Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water after touching elevator buttons, ATMs, and money. You can also use hand sanitizers or alcohols if soap and water are not available.
- Avoid touching your face, mouth or eyes. Make it a habit.
- Ensure proper and adequate sleep, exercise and nutrition to keep your immune system working strong.
- Cough or sneeze with a tissue then throw it right away. You can also use your elbow or inside your shirt. Do not forget to wash your hands or elbow after your cough or sneeze.
- If you feel unwell stay at home and isolate yourself from other household members.
- Coronavirus is fragile in the environment but they can survive on certain surfaces for a limited time. Sanitize work surfaces or home with EPA-approved disinfectants, soap, and diluted bleach water.
- Practice social distancing to prevent contracting the coronavirus disease.
Social distancing tips
- Avoid crowded crowds or crowded spaces.
- Avoid all unnecessary travels.
- Keep away from others who are sick.
- Limit your contact with other people at least a 6-foot apart.
- Stay at home when you are sick.
- When grocery shopping, avoid peak hours and when you are there maintain 6 foot distance between other people.
- Work at home. Don’t gather in public areas such as restaurants, gyms or any public events.
- Don’t send your kids to daycare if your kid’s school has shut down.
- Minimize your interaction with other people if you leave the house.
- Avoid mass gatherings and assemblies.
- If you still have to go to work, increase your physical space between workers. Reduce workplace social contacts. Stagger work schedules. Limit in-person meetings or lunch meetings with staff or after-work hangouts.
Staying on track with your weight loss goal while stuck at home
- Make a meal plan to stick with-Just because you’re a few feet away from the kitchen doesn’t mean you can go in there anytime and come out with foods on your hand. Make a meal plan and stick with your plan by all means. This is one way to prevent you from gaining weight and one way to make sure your foods last longer as planned.
- Eat foods that will keep you full– Include foods rich in protein, fiber and healthy fats at your every meal and snack to keep you satisfied. This way, you are less likely to eat low-nutrient, high-calorie foods that could cause weight gain.
- Practice smart snacking– Snacking is inevitable especially when you’re stuck at home for quite sometimes. Picking up a little bit in between meals is totally fine but you can do this without derailing your weight loss goal. Snack on fruits and nut and not on sugary treats.
- Get enough sleep– Sleep is an important part not only during weight loss but for overall health. Your body needs time to rest so it can function well and keep your immune system strong during this outbreak. Catching enough sleep every night helps curb bad food cravings too.
Staying active while maintaining social distancing
- Outdoor exercise– Most gyms are closed so take your fitness into the fresh air outside. Consider kayaking or perhaps hiking if the weather permits.
- Work on improving your general fitness– You can work on strengthening your core and cardiovascular condition by using home-based video workout, home gym or web-based exercise program.
- Exercise using your body weight– You can incorporate a variety of movements without equipment. Try doing squats, yoga, burpees, pushups, and lunges.
- Exercise by yourself or with a friend– Make sure you practice social distancing by choosing activities that allow you to maintain an appropriate distance between each other. Do your best but save your fist bumps or high fives for another day.