“You can’t control what goes on outside, but you CAN control what goes on inside.” – Unknown
The second wave of the coronavirus pandemic is here. Regardless of the precautions proposed by experts specifically, social distancing, lockdowns, quarantine facilities, increased availability of labs for testing and hospitals for treatment, the virus is enduring to spread rapidly in different parts of the world. The number of cases of people who are infected is growing by leaps and bounds and the death toll is on the rise as well. This has formed robust emotions of fear and in some cases panic among people, considering that it is an unidentified menace that no one has confronted before. We have no certainty so as to when this pandemic will end, but we do know that it will end, eventually. In the meantime, we need to take care of our greatest wealth: our health. For when everything will collapse, it’ll be us; it’ll be our mental and physical health that will help us fight with the unknown darkness. Therefore, looking after ourselves uncompromisingly should be our utmost priority.
Following are the few tips one can adhere to, in order to brace oneself amidst the second wave of Covid-19 outbreak:
• Get Covid- 19 vaccine: Covid 19 can have serious, life-threatening problems, and there are no ways through which you could know how seriously it will affect you. So it’s better to take the authorized Covid-19 vaccine, it can help protect you and your loved ones from the virus.
• Wear a mask: Masks act as filters and capture the droplets and particles we expel. So, when you wear a mask, you protect others as well as yourself. While wearing a mask keep in mind that your mask should cover your nose and mouth and secure it under your chin.
• Avoid crowds: Stop going to packed places like restaurants, bars, fitness centres, or movie theatres etc. Going to such places can put you at higher risk for Covid-19. In the case of indoor places, you should avoid poorly ventilated spaces as much as possible.
• Keep your hands clean: Remember, you touch hundreds of surfaces in a single day and all of them contain their own little world of germs. Therefore, to prevent the spread of infections, keep your hands clean. Wash your hands for twenty seconds and as much as you can.
P• Practice social distancing: Use social media as a platform to connect with relatives and friends on a regular basis. Maintain a distance of 6 feet when you meet someone.
• Create a routine for physical exercise/activities: Be aware about the way you are treating your body. Do meditation or some form of exercise at home to relax yourself. You can practice yoga, Zumba, deep breathing- this will not only help in strengthening your muscles but will also soothe you.
• Reconnect with hobbies: Get in touch with the long left hobbies and interest to recharge yourself- like drawing, painting, sewing, cooking, dancing, singing, playing musical instruments, reading, playing board games with family.
• Be mindful of sleep and eating patterns: Starving or overeating at time of crisis is quite common. Hence be mindful of eating healthy food. In the same manner, sleeping on time to ensure good health as well as to sustain the energy is important.
• Balance your mental intake. Take time to clear and focus on things that are uplifting and calming. There is a lot happening in the world. While staying informed is helpful, be careful not to overwhelm yourself with information either.
Remember to be compassionate to yourself and to stay calm during this time. We’ve been dealing with coronavirus for months, and the end is not yet in sight. The social, financial, psychological and physical stressors surrounding the pandemic have been challenging in infinite ways. It’s time to take care of yourself. Practicing self-care can help you and your family be better equipped to get through this time together. And just know that, “It is health that is the real wealth, and not pieces of gold and silver.”
