With gyms temporarily closed and all this extra time at home, it can be difficult to find the motivation to exercise and make healthy choices. Luckily, one of our physicians, Dr. Jude A. Pierre, explains 3 simple ways to stay healthy at home.
1. Soak up some sun.
Getting just 10-15 minutes of direct sunlight has many benefits. Not only does it give you a chance to enjoy a little time outside, but it also does wonders for your health. Sun is the great source of vitamin D, which is great for your bones, blood pressure, and immune system.
The benefits of sunlight aren’t only physical. Low vitamin D levels have been linked to depression, so lying out for just a few minutes every day helps to decrease your chances of depression and improves your mood!
Who knew just a few minutes outside in the sun would have so many benefits? Above all, the best part is…it’s free! Just make sure to protect your skin by wearing a sunscreen with SPF, and stay hydrated to avoid heat exhaustion.
2. If you need to leave your house, wear a facemask.
You’ve probably heard this advice before, but it’s worth repeating. If you must leave your house, the best way to protect yourself and others is to wear a mask or cloth face covering. This decreases the chance of spreading germs from person-to-person.
Even if you’re unable to find a medical facemask right now, there are many tutorials online on how to make a facemask using household items, such as scarves and bandanas. Always remember to wash and disinfect your cloth face coverings, once you get home, and continue to practice good hand hygiene throughout the day.
3. Use technology to connect with friends and family.
It’s very easy to feel lonely while in quarantine, so remaining in touch with your loved ones is important. Luckily, there are many ways to stay in touch with friends and family, while adhering to social distancing recommendations. Personally, Dr. Pierre has had great success with the use of video chat technology to connect with family members.
Don’t let technology intimidate you. Dr. Pierre has savvy 85-year-old patients who frequently connect with him over telemedicine. Video chat apps are easy to download onto your phone or computer, and most of them are free! Some of the most popular apps are WhatsApp, Google Hangouts, FaceTime, and Zoom.
Family gatherings may be a little different than they were just a few months ago, but have fun with the technology that’s available to you. Try to set up a virtual family dinner or even a game night!
A Bonus Tip for Patients
Dr. Pierre suggests a daily regimen of vitamin C, zinc, and fish oil to stimulate cellular function and boost the immune system. However, make sure you consult with your primary care physician before introducing any vitamins or medications into your daily regimen.Â
A Bonus Tip for Medical Professionals
Everyone is stress during this extremely overwhelming time, so make sure to support your staff. Many medical professionals are doing more than one person’s workload, so try to be patient with each other.
Dr. Jude A. Pierre practices Internal Medicine in Spring Hill, Florida. Click here for more information.
For more information on simple ways to stay healthy at home, frequently check our blog on the Access Health Care website and follow us on social media.
