hygiene

Oct

2020

Lessons Learned from COVID-19

Reading Time: 4 minutes

The COVID-19 pandemic took everyone by surprise. No one was fully ready despite numerous warnings from scientists for a possible pandemic for decades now. Moreover, a lot of people dismissed it as an isolated case that would probably be contained in one area, just what happened in the past with the SARS, bird flus and swine flus. But the inevitable happened. The virus spread from Asia to Europe and to the Americas at a very rapid pace. And soon, everyone on the planet just woke up to a whole new world. As of this writing, more than 35 million people around the world has already been infected with over a million deaths. We can no longer undo the past but now is the time to learn the lessons from the devastating experience. As we look forward to reliving our life again in the new normal, here are lessons learned from Covid-19.

1.Health is Wealth.

People don’t generally take care of their wealth especially when young. it is common knowledge that health is the most important thing in life. Yet people only starts thinking about their health when there is already some form of illness or disease. This is because it is hard to resist unhealthy eating habits and behaviors. The pandemic reminded us to take care of our health.

In New York state, more than 80% of the total Covid-19 deaths have underlying illnesses.

Covid-19 has been dubbed as a ‘lifestyle virus’. This is because a great majority of those hospitalized, with severe symptoms and those who died have underlying illnesses. And these underlying illness are mostly lifestyle illnesses, or those illnesses associated with a person’s lifestyle. Hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, obesity and cancer are some of the lifestyle illnesses.

If we want to survive this health crisis, it is now time to rethink and change our lifestyle. Develop habits that will improve our immune system so our body can naturally be able to combat viruses and other illnesses.

2. Proper Hygiene

Good personal hygiene is the best way to protect yourself from the virus. A simple act as washing your hands with soap and water can be a life-saving action. Not only does it protects you, it also protects others. The practice of good personal hygiene can prevent you from spreading the virus to others.

3. Importance of an Emergency Fund

Because of Covid 19, many people faced reduced hours while some even lost their jobs and businesses. Unfortunately, not all people from around the world received government aid. The pandemic is not simply just a health crisis, it is also a very challenging time financially for most people. Just imagine what happened to those families who do not have an emergency fund set aside.

Going forward, now is the time to seriously consider setting aside a portion of your future income as an emergency fund. The rule of thumb is to save at least 10% of your income a month. The money jar budgeting system is the best guide on how to budget to ensure that you are ready for the next emergency.

4.Importance of Diversification

If you are a stock market investor, you probably watched in horror as the market dropped significantly. Investing in one company or one industry alone would have hit you badly especially if that industry has been greatly hit. Examples of such industries are airlines, tourism and hospitality. But if your portfolio is diversified, like you also have investments in health care or consumer goods, then you have minimized your losses. The market is very volatile and unpredictable. Diversification is the only way to manage risk.

Diversification is also applicable to all kinds of investments from real estate to businesses. For example, you invested all your money in a restaurant chain. And that restaurant closed down because of the lockdown. Another example is what you invested all your money on real estate rental properties. And because of the pandemic, the tenants all left leaving you with no income. And worse, you still have to pay mortgages for the properties. With diversification, all these scenarios could have been prevented. Always remember to not put all your eggs in one basket.

5. Having People and Healthy Relationships

Ever since the outbreak, most people have been spending their time at home. This is the perfect opportunity to spend more time with family and loved ones. It is ideal for those people who have healthy relationships with people close to them. But what about those people who have not so good relationships with their family? Being trapped at home for months with people that you cannot stand and fight with can be a nightmare.

It is the same thing for people who live alone because they don’t have living social interactions with others. In a study done by Martina Luchetti from the Florida State University College of Medicine, they found out that living alone increase the feelings of loneliness.

6. Respecting Other’s Personal Space

Respecting other people’s space is one thing that we normally taken for granted. With Covid-19, we learned how to respect other people’s space. When someone goes near us, we feel uncomfortable. In the same way that they feel uncomfortable too if we get near them. That’s why we become conscious of our space and other people’s space.

7.Having Goals and A Routine

Having daily goals and a routine is good for your mental health. Goals will give you something to look forward to. Instead of dwelling on the uncertainties of the now, your focus shifts to a dream of a better tomorrow. A routine on the other hand is a good way to combat boredom. It is also an effective way to make you feel in control during times of great stress. It will keep you busy and takes your mind off things.

8. Importance of Gratitude

With all the negative things happening around, it is so easy to fall prey into negative thinking. Instead of reading the news or opening your social media account, why not start your day with gratitude. Gratitude shifts thinking away from the negative and into the positive. Instead, gratitude makes you focus on your blessings.

How about you? What lessons have you learned from this whole Covid experience?

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May

2020

Etiquette Rules for the New Normal

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Nations around the world are beginning to ease down restrictions. More and more people can now go out. As you take your first step into the world, bear in mind that it is no longer the same world before the lockdown. There are certain rules that need to be followed for what is considered the new normal. Here are etiquette rules that you must abide to as part of the new normal post lockdown:

Hygiene

The practice of good hygiene is essential for your health and other people’s health. It will lower your risk and help prevents the spread of the disease.

The following are the basic etiquette for proper hygiene practices:

Always wash your hands regularly. If soap and water is not available, you can use alcohol-based sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol.
Practice social distancing.
Turn away from other people when you cough or sneeze.
Avoid touching communal surfaces.
Dispose used tissues properly.
Do not share cups, glasses and utensils.
Always keep your home and work area clean.
Stay at home if you are sick.

Greetings

It is time to temporary forego customs and traditions for everyone’s safety. The new normal is all about touchless greetings.

If you meet someone, do the following:

Avoid physical contact. No hugging, kissing or giving handshakes.
Use other non-verbal cues when greeting like a tiny wave, a wink or a gentle nod.
Learn how other cultures greet each other. You can bow with hands by our side like the Koreans and the Japanese. You can do the Wai like the Thais by pressing your hands together like a prayer and slightly bowing.
Make it a habit to put your hands behind your back or firmly in your pocket.

Queuing

Queuing is something that we experience on a regular basis. We fall in line when we go to the bank, grocery, elevators, gasoline station, cafeteria, movie house and even to the public toilets. It is something that we are used to doing. However, expect additional queues longer lines post lockdown.

If you find yourself in a queue, do practice the following good behaviour:

Follow social distancing. Don’t stand so close to others. Be mindful of the gap. Respect their personal space. By doing so, you are protecting yourself and others.
Do not cut in line. Get rid of your sense of entitlement. What you need to do is equally important as the others. If you are in a hurry, you should have been there earlier than the rest. It is rude to skip lines even if you know somebody who is already waiting in the queue.
Keep your negative emotions to yourself. It is understandable that you are frustrated with the hassle and the long wait but you need to maintain your composure. Be patient.
Choose your line. Don’t stand in the middle of two separate lines. Just choose one. Stick to it and wait for your turn.
Offer your place to somebody else who needs it more like a pregnant woman or elderly. Another example is if you are in a grocery and your cart is full while the one behind you is just holding an item or two. A simple act of kindness especially in these difficult times can go a long way.

Wearing Face Mask

Wearing face masks is now going to be the new norm. A face mask serves a physical barrier and it helps slow the spread of the disease. It is not so much for the protection of the wearer from getting the virus but rather it is to prevent carriers from spreading the disease. After all, a great majority of people who are infected are asymptomatic.

Here is the etiquette for wearing face mask:

Be a good citizen and always wear a face mask when going out especially if you have any respiratory symptoms.
Wear the face mask properly.
Look people in the eyes when you are talking to them. It is a sign of respect.
Learn to smile with your eyes.
Do not remove your face mask when talking to others.

Stay safe everyone!

Feature Image by Posted by A.L. Jonas in Environmental, 0 comments

Feb

2020

Basic Health Rule to Combat Viruses

Reading Time: 3 minutes

As the number of persons infected and the death toll from the coronavirus continues to climb, the global community is now becoming more and more worried. As the virus spreads, the question in everyone’s mind is how to protect one’s self? The only way to protect one’s self is to follow the basic health rule to combat viruses, bacterias and other diseases.

The World Health Organization already issued standard precautions that must be done. These include practicing basic hygiene such regular hand washing, refraining from touching the face and avoiding contact with people who are infected. Following these guidelines would help prevent the spread of infection.

Immune System

Setting the coronavirus aside, did you know that the human body is exposed to millions of viruses and bacteria every single day? We don’t get sick because our immune system is doing a remarkable job defending our body from harmful microorganisms. Your immune system is your body’s defense against invaders. Check out the video for more information about how the immune system works.

Video Credit: Science ABC

The human body is guarded by a group of complex network of cells collectively known as the immune system whose main task is to defend the body against intruders such as viruses and bacteria. As long as they are doing their job, we will be free from illnesses and diseases.

Here is an illustration of how the immune system worked on the novel coronavirus outbreak:

Not all people who got exposed with infected persons get sick
There are many cases of people who got infected that recovered from the virus despite the fact that there is no identified treatment yet
The 1-2% that succumbed to the virus had underlying medical conditions. This means that they immune system are already weak in the first place

The point is there is a way to protect yourself from the COVID-19. Instead of creating unnecessary panic, focus on keeping yourself healthy by boosting your immune system. That is the basic rule of health.

The basic rule of health is to boost your immune system.

Help your immune system do its job by doing these simple things that can do wonders to your health:

1. Get enough sleep

Sleep is a vital factor in helping your immune system stay strong. Unfortunately, it is often neglected by many. The body repairs cells and tissues while we sleep. Without enough sleep, the body will have a hard time fighting infections. Aside form physical health, sleep is also a big contributing factor to our mental health. Sleep improves your memory and problem-solving skills. It keeps you alert and motivated. It also prevents depression. Sleep requirement varies per age group. Check the National Sleep Foundation to determine how much sleep do you need per day.

2. Drink plenty of water

About 60% of our body is made up of water. Without water, every cell in our body will cease to function. Although the amount of water that you need to drink varies per individual depending on certain factors such as lifestyle and the weather; on average, a person needs to drink at least eight 8 oz. glasses of water a day.

Health Benefits:

aids in digestion
boosts energy
fights off illness
flushes out toxins
helps remove wastes
improves brain function and blood circulation
maintains moisture in body tissues
prevents dehydration
promotes weight loss
protects spinal cord and joints
removes bad breath
regulates body temperature
slows down aging

3. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables

Fruits and vegetables are an important part of a healthy diet. Fruits and vegetables are rich with vitamins and minerals that the body need to stay healthy. They also contain fiber which helps the body absorb vital nutrients and promotes regular bowel movements. They help you maintain a healthy weight. Fruits and vegetables also lower cholesterol and blood pressure. And most importantly, a healthy diet protects you from diseases. You need to feed your immune system healthy food for them to do their job properly.

4. Exercise Regularly

You want to feel better, livelier and more energetic? Then, exercise! Exercise increases your energy levels. It helps maintain your weight and helps prevent diseases. It also keeps your brain healthy and also reduce negative feelings like depression, stress and anxiety.

5. Stop smoking

Smoking harms your immune system. It weakens your immune response especially in your respiratory health thus increasing your risk in developing respiratory illnesses. Do take note that coronavirus is a respiratory virus that attacks the lower respiratory tract. The last thing that you want right now is to make yourself susceptible to the virus.

In addition, smoking also damages your antibodies in the bloodstream. This will result to more severe infections. Any wounds and illnesses will take longer to heal because of the damage.

6. Take lots of Vitamin C

Vitamin C helps support your immune system. It is essential not only for growth but also in healing wounds and repairing cells in the body. Unfortunately, the body does not make its own Vitamin C so you can only get it from your food intake. Eat foods that are rich in Vitamin C such as oranges, cantaloupe, papaya, pineapple, strawberries and kiwi. You can also found it in vegetables such as broccoli, spinach, cauliflower and beans. You can also take Vitamin C supplements.

Stay healthy everyone!

Feature Image by Posted by A.L. Jonas in Physical, 1 comment