The numbers of COVID-19 cases continue to rise daily. Health officials have been clear that it’s crucial to practice social distancing and take smart proactive steps to slow/stop the spread of the illness. However, these practices in themselves can create an environment of psychological and physical distress for many people. So, how can you stay safe from COVID-19 without otherwise sacrificing your family’s physical and mental health?
Understand DQI’s Mental And Physical Effects
There are three key measures involved in slowing the spread of COVID-19.
D: Social distancing – keeping approximately six feet of space between you and others and avoiding mass gatherings spaces. This mitigates the risk of both becoming infected and infecting others.
Q: Quarantine – avoiding contact with others after potential/known exposure to COVID-19 to mitigate the possibility of infecting others.
I: Isolation – separating yourself from others after you’ve contracted COVID-19 so that the spread of the illness is stopped.
Since the incubation period for COVID-19 is two weeks, all of the above translates to hour upon hour of time spent with little social and physical stimulation. The lack of purpose in meaningful activities and stimuli from the outside world can take a toll on your mental and physical health, especially if you add the financial stressor of missing a paycheck, being confined with bored small children, and/or having a history of mental or physical illnesses.
Potential side effects of DQI include:
• Fear, anxiety, stress over both DQI itself, obtaining essential supplies, meeting family obligations, finances and so forth.
• Loneliness, boredom, mood changes, sadness, and depression.
• Frustration, irritability, anger, and resentment.
• Physical inactivity and poor diet effects.
How To Be Prepared To Cope With DQI Side Effects
While challenging, those facing distancing, quarantine, or isolation can take several measures to help mitigate the negative mental and physical health effects like the above.
• Have a plan for spending time productively.
• Have a plan for psychosocial support.
• Have a plan to gain accurate, up-to-date public health info from a reliable source, such as the CDC OR WHO, not media pundits that could increase feelings of fear and panic.
• Balance time spent gathering health information with physical and mental activities not related to COVID-19, such as reading a book, puzzles, yoga, reorganizing your closet, or listening to music.
• Refocus on what you can do today and tomorrow, not what you did yesterday.
• Create and follow a routine to continue a sense of order and purpose.
• Learn something new.
• Contact your child’s school system to find online educational resources to continue your child’s education.
• Look for online ways to continue favorite activities and obligations, such as an online training course or exercise class.
• Practice relaxation techniques and positive imagery to relax your body and mind from stressors.
• Use the virtual world to stay connected and access social support networks.
• Keep a daily journal to vent frustrations and document your experience.
Maintaining A Healthy Lifestyle During COVID-19
Whether you’re proactively social distancing or isolating or quarantining after potential exposure, it’s important to prioritize your family’s general wellness.
You can research immunization shots near me. Use the NIH to keep up-to-date on the progress of a future COVID-19 immunization.
For social distancing parents, make sure you visit your pediatrician in Lubbock to discuss any potential COVID-19 risk factors for your child. Are child immunizations in Lubbock up-to-date? If not, Telehealth is a good source to inquire about pediatric immunizations Lubbock. Your child’s doctor will talk with you about the best time to give all of the immunizations your child needs to stay healthy.
Other steps to support wellness include these tips:
• Maintain a well-balanced diet high in fruits and veggies and low in fats, sugars, and sodium; don’t sleep in and skip breakfast.
• Limit stimulants and depressants, such as alcohol, caffeine, drugs, and nicotine.
• Keep your work/school week schedule of getting at least eight hours of sleep each night.
• Open the blinds and, if accessible from your home, go outside to keep green and blue space in your eyesight. Exposure to green/blue space is scientifically proven to be a mood and creativity booster, and it’s been shown to have wellness benefits like lowering blood pressure.
Safety And Health With DQI
As you can see, you can use distancing, quarantine, and isolation to help prevent COVID-19 from continuing its destructive path without allowing it to destroy your family’s overall physical and mental health. In fact, you may even come out the other end happier, healthier, and more focused than ever if you follow the above tips.
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