The coronavirus is spreading rapidly throughout the world, especially in the United States, where COVID-19 related deaths recently eclipsed 100,000. With so much uncertainty during these times and no vaccine in the near future, knowing how to stay protected should be one of your top priorities, not only to keep yourself safe but also to those around you.
Below, we’ll go over the top tips for protecting yourself during the coronavirus pandemic.
Tip #1: Stay Home
The easiest way to contract COVID-19 is by being exposed to it. Scientists aren’t entirely sure how the coronavirus is transmitted, such as how long it can survive on surfaces and how far it can travel through the air. But we do know the coronavirus is an airborne virus that can be contracted by breathing in the same air as someone infected or touching the same surface. In public spaces and large gatherings, your likelihood of getting the virus increases exponentially, which means staying at home is the best way to stay protected.
While staying home 24/7 is unlikely, as you need to go grocery shopping and seek essential services if you fall ill, there are ways you can make your quarantine more bearable. Rather than risking contamination by meeting people face-to-face, use video calling software like Zoom and Skype to connect with friends and relatives. You can even play fun virtual games online to have some fun.
Tip #2: Wash Your Hands
If you do have to venture into public areas, such as the grocery store or a restaurant, make sure to wash your hands before you visit and after you return home. In the meantime, make sure you don’t touch your face, including your nose, mouth, and eyes.
Hand washing is an extremely effective way to protect yourself and others. Make sure to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with warm water and antibacterial soap, and to thoroughly dry your hands with a clean cloth or paper towel. If you know you’re going somewhere where you may not have access to a sink and soap, bring hand sanitizer. Hand sanitizer can be just as effective for killing off COVID-19, but hand washing still remains supreme.
Tip #3: Take Care of Your Mental Health
Quarantining can take a major toll on your mental health. You have restricted access to seeing your loved ones, you may have been one of the millions of workers laid off or furloughed, and you’ve been thrown out of your regular routine. That said, taking care of your mental health should be taken seriously. Some tips for maintaining a positive outlook during this global pandemic include:
- Taking CBD: taking CBD gummies for anxiety is a great way to calm your nerves and ease stress. Although CBD comes from the marijuana plant, it doesn’t contain THC, which is the psychoactive element that’s responsible for the “high.”
- Consulting with a virtual therapist: If you suffer from mental health disorders such as depression or anxiety, you may be worried because most non-essential health professions have been temporarily closed. Fortunately, thanks to technology, you can consult with an online therapist to get the treatment you need.
- Refrain from reading the news: While staying informed on current events is important, reading too many negative news headlines during a time like this can take a serious toll on your mental well-being. Rather, limit yourself to reading online news and supplement it with your favorite Netflix show or playing an online video game.
Tip #4: Take care of your physical health
Along with your mental health, it’s important you take care of your physical health, too. With gyms closed, trainers out of business, and studios shut, it can be easy to neglect your physical health. However, there are plenty of ways you can still keep your body in check even during quarantine:
- Sign up for virtual classes: Many gyms are now creating online platforms where their personal trainers conduct online fitness classes you can partake in, right at home.
- Eat healthy: An unhealthy diet and weaken your immune system, which can make you more susceptible to COVID-19 and other illnesses. Make sure you continue to eat healthy, or even subscribe to an online meal delivery service.
- Go outside: Thankfully, going outside is relatively safe, as long as you practice social distancing. That means it’s safe to go for a run throughout your neighborhood, a long bike ride, or even a hike on trails that are open.
Wrapping Up
During this global pandemic, it’s okay to be a little scared. There’s so much uncertainty around when the pandemic will end, when a coronavirus cure will be found, and when life will go back to “normal.” However, the best thing you can do now is protecting yourself and others. With these four tips, you’ll come out of this quarantine better than ever.
Doris’s passion for writing started to take shape in college where she was editor-in-chief of the college newspaper. Even though she ended up working in IT for more than 7 years, she’s now back to what he always enjoyed doing. With a true passion for technology, Doris mostly covers tech-related topics.