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Coronavirus lockdown guide: Tips for

survival, shopping, and self-care

Thoughts
Apr 7 · 10 min read

“These are the critical weeks,” says Ciara Kelly, a doctor and radio
presenter. “While we don’t have the antivirals, while we don’t have the
vaccines, these are the weeks that count”.

With COVID-19 cases soaring across the continent, a number of countries

including France, Spain and Italy, have entered a state of lock down.

Euro news asked experts across numerous fields, from psychology to

immunology, for tips amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

DISCOVER HIDDEN TRUTHS ABOUT THE CORONAVIRUS

Minding your Mental Health: Psychologist
“People are having to do a lot of things that are out of the ordinary for
them,” Dr. Christopher Hand, lecturer in psychology at Glasgow Caledonian
University told Euronews.

“It is a very difficult time, particularly for people that have young families,
or vulnerable adults to care for, and the uncertainty around the situation is
certainly not helping”.

With that in mind, Dr. Hand has several recommendations:

1. Build a routine:

It is being hailed as unprecedented times, but Dr. Hand says that building a
‘new normal’ or a routine, is key. “Although it might be tempting to have
endless pyjama days, getting up, washing, having breakfast, building a
timeframe and schedule for the day is really, really crucial”.

DISCOVER HIDDEN TRUTHS ABOUT THE CORONAVIRUS

2. Mental health support is available:

When looking for help during the pandemic, support lines remain available,
Dr. Hand reminds us. “It’s very important that people don’t lose sight that
support systems are available to them”.

When looking for mental health advice online, it is crucial to know where to
look. “It is really important that people get their information from relatable
sources, so particularly things like the World Health Organization (WHO) is
providing really good guidance on how people can self-care and how they
can responsibly care for their loved ones”.

3. Avoid an information overload:

Having a level of “detachment” from updates can be helpful, Dr. Hand

suggests.

“It is maybe a good idea to set yourself a schedule for when you are going
to actually engage with updates, or when you’re going to watch the news
— almost going back to the traditional style of watching the 6 o’clock news
rather than engaging with the 24-hour news cycle.”

It’s about balance, Dr. Hand says, between your day-to-day routine and
protecting yourself. In order to avoid unregulated information on social
media feeds, Dr. Hand suggests using the messaging function on apps to
maintain social contact while limiting time on news feeds.

DISCOVER HIDDEN TRUTHS ABOUT THE CORONAVIRUS

4. Don’t skip exercise:

Dr. Hand suggests sticking with your exercise routine, adding that it is
“very, very important for mental health”.

“It is very important that people keep a close eye on what they are allowed
to do as well as what they may have been prohibited from doing. So, for
instance, if people are still able to take regular exercise, albeit safely”.

For the jurisdictions that are allowed to go jogging, or for a walk safely, Dr.
Hand recommends doing so. Alternatively, “if people have a garden, make
use of it or to find ways to incorporate exercise around the house”.

5. Keep up contact:
“Whether it be through using WhatsApp, Skype or FaceTime,” keeping in
contact is “hugely important”. “Keeping in contact with your social
network, particularly those closest to you and indeed anyone who you’re
concerned about who might be vulnerable” is key.

6. Don’t turn to alcohol or drugs:

People should try their best not to turn to things like alcohol or drugs to
manage their mental health and wellbeing, Dr. Hand says.

“On social media, it seems to be really popular to talk about panic buying
“On social media, it seems to be really popular to talk about panic buying
wine and such. But we know that, joking aside, there are potentially
harmful consequences to trying to use alcohol and other substances”.

7. Keeping a healthy diet:

In times of high stress, an increased degree of ‘comfort eating’ should be

avoided, Dr. Hand suggests. “Although it can be difficult due to availability
to fresh food and vegetables, it’s really important that people try to eat
healthily”.

“That tendency to try and comfort-eat, and binge on bad foods, it would be
really helpful if people could avoid that as much as possible”. They key, Dr.
Hand says, is to “try not lose sight of what is normal, so try and eat
normally”.

DISCOVER HIDDEN TRUTHS ABOUT THE CORONAVIRUS

8. Providing children with facts, not rumours:

With schools shut across the continent and families working from home
amid a shroud of uncertainty, it is a difficult time for children.

“The best thing to try and do is to show extra patience,” Dr. Hand says,
while reassuring them with “facts rather than rumour or speculations”.

“Particularly for kids who are switched on in a digital way, let them phone
their grandparents and get that social contact. Also, encourage kids to get
their information from places like the World Health Organization (WHO)
rather than social media”.

Boosting your immune system: Immunologist

Professor Luke O’Neill, a leading immunologist, told Euronews of an

important measure everyone can take when battling COVID-19, boosting
the immune system.

“There is no doubt you can help your immune system,” Prof. O’Neill said.
“Your immune system is your only friend here”.

“It’s obvious things really,” Prof. O’Neill told Euronews. A good diet is key,
and avoiding a high fat diet, as well as a good night’s sleep. “If your tired,
your immune system won’t work and if you’re malnourished, your immune
system won’t work”.

Interestingly, Prof. O’Neill also recommends a supplement Vitamin D in

your diet which is found in foods such as fish or milk.

A major factor in the deterioration of the immune system, Prof. O’Neill

warns, is stress. “Stress really damages the immune system, because a
hormone called cortisol is made in your body and that represses some of
your immune cells. So you have to try not to be stressed”.

Prof. O’Neill also highlights exercise as a key element in keeping your

immune system high. “It is a great de-stresser but also, the immune
system can be a bit sluggish,” he said. “If you do some exercise, more
blood flow happens in your body and your immune system is churned into
action”. “Even in older people, a tiny bit of exercise is suffice”, he said.

“These are proven ways to keep your immune system healthy and that is
“These are proven ways to keep your immune system healthy and that is
your biggest friend. Because that will kill this virus, remember it has
evolved to handle these kinds of things. So, absolutely you can do a good
job to your immune system as well”.

What should be in your shopping trolly: Dietician

“Rather than panic, it is a time to plan,” Prof. Clare Collins, Professor in

Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of Newcastle, Australia, told
Euronews, referring to the scenes of panic buying across the continent.

When it comes to diet, Prof. Collins suggests a few tips:

1. Don’t panic buy:

“Some of the panic buying, people are stocking up on things they already
have,” Prof. Collins says. Don’t overdo it, she warns. “Cross off what you
don’t need, add on any extra things that you do need and just buy enough
for one to two weeks”.

“We have been absolutely reassured that the supplies are there. There is
enough for everybody. So plan, don’t panic is the key thing. That means
also taking the time to think about what you want to make”.

DISCOVER HIDDEN TRUTHS ABOUT THE CORONAVIRUS

2. Eating for health:

2. Eating for health:

With most working from home, Prof. Collins says that “it seems like it is an
opportunity to get back to basics” .When it comes to what nutrients are
needed for your immune system, Prof. Collins says that it is a “good time to
get out your old fashioned recipe book and really focus on those basic
ingredients”.

“When you look at the foods that are repeated with regards to Vitamin A,
B, C, Iron, Selenium, and Zinc, there are a few real stand out foods that
keep coming up. That is your green leafy vegetables, whole grain foods
such as rolled oats for breakfast and choosing whole grain bread, lean
meats, nuts and seeds, and a whole range of fresh fruit and vegetables,
particularly for things like Vitamin C”.

3. What should be on your shopping list?

Prof. Collins lays out where you can find some of those key nutrients here.
But there are other resources. The University of Newcastle, Australia also
provides lists for what to buy, from staples non-perishables to fridge
necessities.

4. Think about others when cooking:

Pay attention to those vulnerable around you, Prof. Collins suggests. If
there is a vulnerable person living alone, “could you drop them a meal,”
she asks.

“Rather than throw anything away, now is the time also not to waste. Keep
an eye out particularly for the elderly who are not supposed to go to
supermarkets”.

5. Most people don’t need to take supplements:

“Any supplementation needs to be done with the approval of healthcare
practitioners and it is only likely needed in people who are sick, or get sick
easily, and it’s a fine balance” Prof. Collins says.

“For most of the people in the population, it is about eating healthy and
there is a couple of exceptions”. There has been an “excellent measure
analysis from 25 study on Vitamin D,” she notes, reiterating Prof. Luke
O’Neill. “Vitamin D is a nutrient that you can make in your skin but you’re
not as efficient at that as you get older. You need to have sun exposure on
your skin”.

“So, if you are totally locked in doors, you may benefit from a Vitamin D
supplement or if you are social distancing, so that means you can still go
outside, make sure you go for your walks and get enough Vitamin D”.

For general multi-vitamin use, Prof. Collins says that this advised only for
those who have some sort of malnutrition or malabsorption disease.
“These people will be guided by their usual medical practitioners,” such as
those with chronic lung disease, or cystic fibrosis.

“Don’t start taking something you didn’t take before,” Prof. Collins warns.
“People with low Vitamin D status, previously on supplements, keep taking
those. Everyone else, you can absolutely get all the nutrients you need
from food”.

“Focus on the foods, and focus on making sure the people around you are
eating healthily. We are all in this together and that’s the best way to get
through”.

DISCOVER HIDDEN TRUTHS ABOUT THE CORONAVIRUS

6. Wash your hands!

“Food hygiene is always important,” says Prof. Collins. “Wash your hands
before you start cooking, and now it’s even more important to make sure
that anyone with a cough or a cold is not doing the cooking”.

Social distancing, hand washing: Doctors

“No health service has 50,000 idle ICU beds, but that is what we are
looking at dealing with,” Dr. Ciara Kelly is a Irish physician and radio
presenter, warns.

“The reason flattening the curve is so important, is if you flatten the curve,
you give health services a fighting chance of helping people, of saving
lives”. If there is a slower rate of acceleration of cases, “our health services
will cope better with the patients as they come in and more lives will be
saved, so it is vitally important”.

1. Social distancing
Dr. Kelly’s main piece of advice is to adhere to social distancing guidelines.
Apart from those who you live with, Dr. Kelly reiterates the need to keep at
least a 2 metre distance. “If they cough or sneeze, you are not in the
radius of where that cough or sneeze will fall”.

“Stay as socially distant from anyone you have to mix with as possible. If
you don’t meet people, you can’t catch the virus and so you can’t pass the
virus. The more distance you put between yourself and people, the better,
at the moment for a short period of time”.

2. What should you do when you feel unwell?

“If you are unwell in any way at the moment with respiratory disease, stay
home and seek a test,” says Dr. Kelly.

Dr. Dominic Pimenta is a Cardiologist based in the UK notes the need to

avoid being a spreader of the disease.

“If you are yourself, unwell, make sure you don’t come into contact with
“If you are yourself, unwell, make sure you don’t come into contact with
people who are vulnerable, people who are elderly or those under immuno
suppression, or with lung disease.”

3. Wash your hands and don’t touch your face

“Wash your hands, constantly,” Dr. Kelly urges. Dr. Pimenta reiterates the
need to listen to local government guidelines and also to the WHO call to
wash your hands effectively. “Avoid touching your face,” Dr. Kelly says. “If
you are moving hand to face all the time while touching other objects, you
will get into difficulty”.

“Throughout Europe, we are seeing levels of contagion we did not expect.

All of Europe needs to pull together to see that of our safety is in each
other’s hands”.

DISCOVER HIDDEN TRUTHS ABOUT THE CORONAVIRUS

Source: https://www.euronews.com/2020/03/20/coronavirus-lockdown-
guide-tips-for-survival-shopping-and-self-care

Coronavirus Covid 19 Lockdown Pandemic Corona

WRITTEN BY

Thoughts
Hi, i’m Logan a professional article writer, writing in many
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