Best ways to make health your new #1 priority

In the age of COVID 19, it’s become increasingly important to adopt a few simple lifestyle changes and good hygiene habits to protect your health and others from this pandemic.

Some simple precautions can help greatly reduce your chances of contracting the disease.

1. Wash your hands often

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.

In the absence of soap and water, please use an alcohol-based sanitizer to disinfect your hands.

2. Avoid close contact

Maintain and respect social distancing, even when lockdowns begin to ease. Try to stay at least 2 metres away from other individuals in public places and respect their space too. Remember that some people without symptoms may be able to spread the virus. Avoid gathering in groups and stay away from large public gatherings and crowded places.

3. Avoid touching your face

Why? Hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth. From there, the virus can enter your body and infect you.

4. Follow good respiratory hygiene

This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately and wash your hands. Why? Droplets spread the virus. By following good respiratory hygiene, you protect the people around you from viruses such as cold, flu and COVID-19.

5. Clean and disinfect

Do this daily. Wipe down tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks. Use detergent and soap water to disinfect surfaces.

6. Boost your Immunity

Make sure to follow good hygiene in general and have well-balanced meals to get nutrients in! This gives your body’s natural immune system a boost and can help support your body fight infections. Have loads of herbal teas and stay hydrated. And try to do some form of home workout at least 3-4 times a week for health. Some good at-home full-body workouts are here.

7. Be kind and compassionate

The virus doesn’t discriminate. And neither should you. We’re all in this together, and in times like these, kindness is a powerful tool. Remember to not treat anyone with the disease poorly. Be kind to everyone and try helping people in need. As a society, we need to come together. Don’t contaminate, don’t create hate.