As the omnipresent coronavirus and its numerous variants, mutants and versions march on continuing the mayhem, and we, the people, continue to remain home-bound, under some sort of lockdown or curbs, I feel it worthwhile to share some thoughts on a survival strategy as a layman’s experience.
Right since the outset of the pandemic last year, my wife and I have followed a regime and have a feeling that it has somehow worked for us. They are mostly common-sense things that everyone knows and follows that I will be sharing here –
- The Virus thrives in our throats, let’s protect it –
1.1 Avoid ice-creams, cold drinks, chilled beer and too much ice in the drinks.
1.2 Take regular steam (it’s very easy to do while preparing tea), gargle frequently with warm water and salt (and occasionally with betadine), drink warm water.
1.3 Keep the intake of sour things like curd, buttermilk, lassi, raw fruits, tamarind, and likes to the minimal possible (they do contain Vitamin C, but also affect the throat and create cough).
1.4 Avoid drinks, sherbets, decoctions containing artificial preservatives.
1.5 If you are a smoker, reduce it to the minimum if you cannot stop. The same applies to liquors, wines and tobacco.
2. Seasonal cold and cough compromise our immunity, let’s keep them away –
2.1 Avoid exposure to the things that we are allergic to, like pollen grains (in the morning), dust, allergic foods and drinks, perfumes, cosmetics, etc.
2.2 Avoid exposure to the Sun and the rain. Use protections like cap, umbrella and jacket if one has to go out. Take special precautions during the season-change.
2.3 Avoid drinking cold water or cold drink immediate upon coming in from hot outside. Avoid thermal shocks and exposure, over-cooled rooms, cold showers, etc.
2.4 Try traditional remedies like tea with green tea leaves and ginger, hot soup, broth, Kadha, brandy in hot water and other concoctions to curb cold.
2.5 Use preventive medicines and ‘Nuskas’ like Vicks, Eucalyptus oil, lozenges, Disprin, anti-allergy pill even at a hint of getting cold.
3. They say health is a combined state of body and mind, and a healthy body makes a mind healthy –
3.1 Eat a healthy and balanced diet, consisting of the right mixes of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, minerals and vitamins; avoid oily, spicy, too sweet, too sour things that might not suit.
3.2 We know our ailments or co-morbidities (as they are called now) like sugar, BP, asthma, arthritis etc. well. Let’s keep them under control by taking the prescribed medicines regularly and following our Physician’s instructions meticulously.
3.3 Our regular exercise routine is disturbed due to the lockdown. The outdoor facilities like gyms, walking/jogging tracks, game courts or grounds might not be available. Find alternatives within the available means like walking to the marketplace/chemist, rope skipping, home exercises, Yoga, deep breathing exercises etc.
3.4 Take Vitamin C and Vitamin B pills like Celin, B-Complex, etc. or even the well-established Ayurvedic tonics like Chawanprash regularly (of course after consulting the Doc). They build up immunity.
3.5 Let us rest our body well – take a good night’s sleep, avoid irregular hours, long afternoon siestas. Moderation is the name of the game, let us avoid all indulgences.
4. A healthy mind is a healthy body. Let’s keep our spirit flying –
4.1 Don’t follow the Pandemic news 24×7. Keep away from sensational news items, callous social media posts and scary stories. Watching good comedy shows on TV or the internet is relaxing (I watch Tarak Mehta (old episodes) regularly).
4.2 Get engaged in household chores, gardening, and the indoor things that we had missed out on till now. These also provide good exercise.
4.3 Try learning new skills; hone the ones that were left behind with time. There are many self-learning websites and videos available for this.
4.4 Catch up on reading, writing and other hobbies like music, dance, films, and sports.
4.5 Those trained in Yoga, Pranayama and other such holistic procedures, may practice them to an advantage.
5. Last and the foremost, the virus is all-pervading and dangerous. Let’s avoid meeting it –
5.1 Avoid going to crowded marketplaces, gatherings, weddings, funerals and other social gatherings.
5.2 Avoid unnecessary personal contacts. Minimize visits to friends and relatives, and also avoid inviting guests.
5.3 Wear the mask constantly when outdoors and even indoors when dealing with house-helps, vendors and guests. Wear the mask properly and let it not become our chin-ornament.
5.4 Get vaccinated at the earliest possible. Don’t ponder over its efficacy or be choosy about its make.
5.5 Follow the good rules and measures prescribed by the Government authorities meticulously.
The virus of still unknown dimensions and unforeseen implications has completed a year and seems to have grown stronger, wilier and more troublesome. We don’t know where it’s going to take us from here, but let’s take all the due precautions and hope that like all bad things it would also go away…sooner than later…Amen
[Disclaimer – The above listed measures and precautions are of general and preventive nature and do not carry any expert advice or assurance. It is always advisable to consult a qualified medical practitioner or hospital in case of severity of symptoms.]
Sanjay Speaks (संजय उवाच) 