Ram Duriseti: Taking care of mental and physical health while staying at home due to COVID-19

The COVID-19 Pandemic has affected the world in unprecedented ways. Something many neglect to address is their physical and mental wellbeing, due to the stressors of the world around them. On top of these unparalleled stressors, we have also begun to follow social distancing policies – adding isolation onto the growing list of new restrictions. Eating right, working out, and sleeping well can allow you to maintain some semblance of normalcy while also keeping your body in tip-top shape to fight off infection.  This article has some suggestions on how to pay attention to your physical and mental wellbeing.

How to take care of your wellness? By Ram Duriseti

Healthy eating

You need to make a proper plan to pick the right things and not to indulge in panic-buying before you go grocery shopping. This will allow you to eat a balanced diet, save money, and also save time shopping. As you plan, check your pantry to see what you already have and plan from there. Canned and frozen produce are great economic options when looking to stock your pantry. They are usually cheaper than the fresh options and will last longer on the shelf. When buying canned and frozen foods, choose those that have low saturated fat, added sugars, and salt. Added sugars should not be more than 5 grams per serving, salt less than 200 mg, and saturated fat less than 1.5 grams. Your canned produce, while economic, can be supplemented by fresh produce. In fact, you can cut fresh fruits and vegetables and store them in the freezer for extended use. Items like sweet potatoes, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts can sustain themselves outside the refrigerator, and thus, do not take up space inside of your fridge storage.

Exercising

Ram Duriseti and other reputed physicians emphasize the need to remain physically fit, even during lockdown. Though your local gym may be closed, walking, running, and biking outside your home are great options to maintain your physical health. While partaking in these outdoor activities, take care to employ proper social distancing practices. Many gyms and studios are offering virtual classes, which can help you stay motivated.

There are many household objects that can substitute for weightlifting equipment in a pinch. Not only that, but bodyweight exercises can be performed sans-equipment. These include, but are not limited to squats, planks, mountain climbers, push-ups, and sit-ups. These exercises do not require much space to complete. To have an effective at home workout, choose any five such exercises and repeat them one minute each, in three to four rounds.

Sleeping

Finally, it is important to maintain a semi-regular sleep cycle. In these stressful times, it is natural to feel anxious and restless. Yoga and meditation are great ways to relieve stress, as they can allow your mind to center itself and take your focus off of your stressors. When your brain is at ease, it is easier for your body to achieve sound sleep.

Eating well, staying physically fit, and getting adequate sleep are the three most important things you can do for your body during these unprecedented times. Not only will they allow you to stay sane during a time of chaos, but they are the best techniques to prepare your body’s immune system to fight off infection.

Feature Image by fernando zhiminaicela from Pixabay