The coronavirus pandemic has taken a toll on our physical as well as mental state of being. Most of us have been feeling overwhelmed with the current unprecedented situation. In spite of strict protocols in place, the virus has still been raging like a fury in the country.
It is natural to feel scared, anxious and all other sorts of emotions during this hour of crisis. What is important is to not let our guard down out of complacency. The health infrastructure has crippled due to the bruising second wave and many have succumbed to the virus.
Doctors, medical professionals, and frontline workers have been working relentlessly risking their lives to save people from dying. The least we can do to respect their efforts and pay homage to them is take care of ourselves by following simple measures. Let us not contribute to the already created mess and creaked up system.
The more responsible we are, the earlier we will tread back to normalcy and recover from this horrendous calamity. Here are a few simple tips that each one of us should follow to protect us and the ones around us from the virus.
1) Wear a Double Mask
According to studies by the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a double mask can reduce the exposure to coronavirus and severity rates by up to 85-95%. Wearing two masks lowers the chances of getting infected by creating a stronger layer of protection.
It is suggested to pair cloth masks with a surgical mask on top of it to increase their effectiveness. However, the combination of two surgical masks or an N95 mask with any other is not recommended.
As experts say, it is crucial to mask up right especially in high-risk environments or crowded places where the contagion is high.
2) Vaccinate Yourself at the Earliest
The vaccine is the most effective tool to slow down the virus's outbreak and safeguard the whole community. Achieving herd immunity requires a large fraction of the population to be vaccinated.
America’s top public health expert Dr. Fauci said that vaccination is the only long-term solution to the Covid-19 crisis in India. The current vaccines manufactured in India are safe and prevent the risk of serious complications even if you are exposed to Covid-19.
3) Sanitize and Keep Your Surroundings Clean
It is important to wash your hands regularly with soap multiple times throughout the day instead of relying only on a hand sanitizer to eliminate germs. Avoid fidgeting with your face especially when you are in public places.
Cleaning high-touch surfaces with water or a detergent are sufficient to remove any virus that is present. If someone in the household is sick, it is paramount to regularly disinfect surfaces such as doorknobs, handles, light switches, and so on.
4) Maintain Social Distancing
Since coronavirus is primarily spread from one person to another via droplets when an infected person sneezes, talks, or coughs in close proximity to others, it is necessary to keep safe distances, especially in crowded places.
In most cases, the infection is transmitted even before a person knows he is sick. Therefore, it is imperative to stay at least six feet away from others even if they are symptomatic or not.
5) Practice Yoga and Breathing Exercises
While experts are warning of a third wave soon, we must prioritize our health and look for ways to boost immunity. One of the major symptoms of concern for covid patients is the drop in the level of oxygen leading to breathlessness and other lung-related complications.
Simple breathing exercises like Anulom Vilom or alternate nostril breathing, Bhastrika Pranayama, Kapalbhati kriya, Bhramari Pranayama if done consistently with the right technique can improve the functioning of lungs and other organs.
As suggested by experts, these exercises and yoga poses when done correctly help in reaching ideal saturation level, oxygenation, blood circulation and also help relieve stress, thus calming the mind.
6) Disconnect Yourself From Negative News
The constant death figures and horrifying cases broadcasted on news channels can be a lot to handle during these difficult times. There is a difference between staying informed and consuming excessive news so much that your mental health goes berserk.
Take a break from social media in case you find yourself turning to it every moment only to feel disturbed. Engage in some activity that gives you joy and distracts your mind from feelings of anxiety.
More importantly, refrain from forwarding news that holds no authenticity. Trust only verified sources and validate information before passing it forward to avoid panic.
7) Monitor Your Health Regularly
It might become really tough to stay at home all the time but make sure you keep hydrating yourself, get enough sleep, eat healthy food and follow some workout regime to stay fit and to keep any health problems at bay. These practices will keep you physically and mentally sound.
Apart from this, make sure to note if any person in the family shows symptoms and to consult a physician at the earliest instead of self-medication. Isolate immediately if you feel sick so that others can remain safe.
No matter how challenging the times are, being hopeful of good days is what keeps us going. Let us all follow guidelines and act in a responsible manner so that we come out of this pandemic wiser and stronger than ever.
Written by – Aishwarya Khandekar
Edited by - Nidhi Verma
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