Vizag: Experts advocate holistic approach to health

VISAKHAPATNAM: As the country reels under the impact of the second wave of the Covid-19 outbreak, medical experts point out that to tide over the grim situation, people need to stay physically and mentally fit and work towards minimising the risk of infection by boosting immunity and following Covid-19 appropriate behaviour.
As per experts, the most important step towards safety lies in staying at home unless it is an emergency.Dr Rekha Dutt, consultant psychiatrist at Shantiniketan Mental Health Centre, said, “Staying and working from home and following Covid-19 protocols will cut down Covid-19 risk by around 70-80%, which will automatically bring down stress. To battle boredom and stay positive, one should socialise, chat or sing over Zoom and video calls with friends and family, engage in some activities like gardening and healthy cooking.”

Nutrition consultant and guest faculty at the yoga department of Andhra University R Rekha said, “Daily physical activity inside the house, meditation to de-stress, breathing exercises or pranayama to improve lung capacity, exposure to sunlight for 15-20 minutes for vitamin D intake and eating a diet consisting of green leafy vegetables, lemon, fruits, vitamin C, zinc and calcium, Omega 3 and their supplements is essential.”
Dr Priyalini Sarkar, AP state coordinator of Women’s Cell in Indian Association of Physiotherapy (IAP) pointed out that since work from home is the option now, ergonomics care is important. “One should sit, sleep and work in proper posture and not sit in the same position for hours together. Do not work in a lying posture and place the laptop on the belly. Every 20 minutes, get up and do simple stretches and rest the eyes from the gadgets,” she said.