Social distancing is critical to flattening the curve and preventing our healthcare systems and supporting infrastructure from being overwhelmed by the influx of sick citizens. COVID-19 has a reproductive rate of 3.3 according to the WHO. This means that for every person infected with COVID-19, that person will pass it onto three others, on average. If left unchecked early on, that’s millions of people infected and thousands of deaths as we’ve seen in Italy and China. Social distancing prevents this. If you stay at home and avoid contact with others, then the virus has far fewer chances to spread. That’s the primary aim of social distancing. So how do we maintain our sanity and stay well while practicing social distancing? Let’s explore a few ways below:
The best way to stay mentally and physically well is to ensure you’re getting an adequate amount of exercise while at home. If you used to go to the gym, it’s time to replace that with indoor workouts. These can be calisthenic exercises that utilize your body weight, or you can invest in dumbbells and a bench that can be set up inside your house. Staying active at least three times a week for 30 minutes or more each session will keep you physically fit, reduce stress, and improve mental clarity.
It may be tempting to snack more often as you work from home. Keep an eye on this tendency and use trackers such as MyFitnessPal to ensure you’re limiting your junk food consumption. Aim for a well-balanced meal that’s high in vegetables and protein compared to grains. Eat spinach, carrot, kale, and other green leafy legumes to ensure you’re getting adequate nutrients and minerals that keep your immune system strong.
COVID-19 is a challenging situation, and it’s natural to feel anxiety and stress over it. Still, there are ways to cope. A good strategy to maintain your mental well-being is to pick up hobbies and activities at home that replace the things you did outside. There are plenty of online courses you can take, or you can order some craft or painting materials. If you have a partner or family with you at home, then host board game nights and movie parties.
Social distancing can make you feel isolated and alone given the lack of face-to-face connection. Make a point to stay connected with people online by using video conferencing tools such as Zoom that can allow everyone to join a video conference and hang out. Use messaging platforms such as Slack and Whatsapp, and enjoy fun conferencing games like Jackbox TV to mix things up and enjoy time together virtually.
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