How do I keep myself healthy during this pandemic? One way is to keep your immune system healthy, as your immune system protects you in the fight against viruses. Here are some steps to help your immune system in this fight:
1. Try to get in at least 30 minutes of exercise per day.
2. Make sure to get enough sleep.
3. Maintain good hygiene.
4. Try to reduce your stress levels.
5. Keep yourself at a healthy body weight. Beware of binge eating all your quarantine snacks.
6. Moderate your alcohol intake.
7. Reduce your smoking habits. Quarantine is a good time to try quitting.
8. Keep up with your vaccinations. Almost everyone who's at least 6 months old should get a flu vaccine every year.
How important is it to integrate healthy foods into my diet at a time like this?
Due to the change in your daily routines (and limited level of physical activity,) including healthy foods into your diet is vital in a quarantine scenario.
How can I incorporate healthy foods into my diet? How is this going to help me?
Frozen fruits and vegetables are blanched in boiling water prior to freezing in order to maintain as many nutrients as possible. With canned products, make sure to give them a good rinse to remove any excess sugar and/or sodium. When purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables, make sure to give them a good wash before consuming them.
How important is it to remain active?
Regular activity helps to manage stress levels; plus keeping up with a routine is a great way to rid yourself of some of that mental stress that may be building up. Regular exercise also helps to keep our immune systems active.
How can I stay active while quarantined?
You can visit our website and take some online classes with your favorite instructors. During this time, you also have free access to online workouts with our partner, Les Mills. If you’ve never participated in a group fitness class, now is a good time to check them out and try something new.
Virtual Workouts with Your Y Instructors
What do we know about COVID-19? (CDC.org)
COVID-19 (coronavirus) currently has no vaccine and spreads mainly from person to person. According to the CDC, the best way to prevent it is to avoid being exposed to it, which means social distancing, or maintaining at least 6 feet between you and another person.
Some necessary steps that should be taken:- Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- When using hand sanitizers, make sure that it is at least 60% alcohol.
- Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze to prevent the spread of the virus. Droplets can land on surfaces or in the mouths/noses of nearby people.
- Avoid touching your T-Zone (eyes, nose, mouth) with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick, and make sure to put distance between yourself and other people.
- Stay home if you believe you are sick, and separate yourself from other people in your home.
- If you need to get in touch with your doctor, call ahead as many appointments are being postponed or being conducted in other ways such as via phone, telemedicine, etc.
- Wear a face mask if you are sick or caring for others. It is helpful to use a physical barrier, such as a paper or cloth mask.
When to seek Medical Attention: (CDC.org)
- Fever
- Trouble breathing
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- Bluish lips or face
“COVID-19 is a new disease, and there is limited information regarding risk factors for severe disease. Based on currently available information and clinical expertise,older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditionsmight be at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19.” (CDC.org)
Based upon available information to date, those at high-risk for severe illness from COVID-19 include:
- People aged 65 years and older
- People who live in a nursing home or long-term care facility
- Other high-risk conditions such as
- People with chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma
- People who have serious heart conditions
- People who are immunocompromised, including cancer treatment
- People of any age with severe obesity (body mass index [BMI]>40) or certain underlying medical conditions, particularly if not well controlled, such as those with diabetes, renal failure, or liver disease might also be at risk
- People who are pregnant should be monitored since they are known to be at risk with severe viral illness.
Many conditions can cause a person to be immunocompromised, including cancer treatment, smoking, bone marrow or organ transplantation, immune deficiencies, poorly controlled HIV or AIDS, and prolonged use of corticosteroids and other immune weakening medications.