Keeping your health in check during the pandemic

It’s easy to lose sight of your health goals while under quarantine. Since more people now work or study in the comfort of their homes and are busier than ever trying out new things such as baking and gardening, there might be a tendency to overlook one’s fitness and well-being. While it’s OK to be productive and to enjoy your newfound time to pursue new endeavors, there are a number of things you should remain mindful of, healthwise.

Be mindful of your food intake

Sugar level

It’s so tempting to keep snacking while you’re in one of those hours-long meetings on Teams or Zoom—especially with your fridge likely just a few steps away from you. But just because you’re in the comfort of your home doesn’t mean you could binge eat all the time. Eating too much carbs or sweets might likely send your blood sugar level through the roof. So be mindful of your food intake: eat healthy snacks, include veggies in your meal, control food portions and if you can, avoid junk food and sweets. Try checking your blood sugar level every now and then just to sure.

Blood pressure

Some might actually find working at home even more stressful—you have to put in more hours and you’re expected to attend more meetings than usual. Try controlling your stress as this might cause high blood pressure or hypertension, which could eventually lead to severe health complications. It has been said that managing stress is an often-overlooked strategy in preventing and treating high blood pressure. To avoid stress, try not to work beyond your usual schedule, make sure to get enough sleep, find ways to relax and unwind, and spend quality time with your family and friends. If you think you’re prone to hypertension, it’s best to have a blood pressure monitor on hand so you can regularly check for yourself.

Nerve pains

You probably sit more than usual now while at home and under quarantine. Yes, you would get stuck in traffic for hours before, but at least, you get to walk around the office or to your favorite lunch place, or take a leisurely stroll in the park or mall. While sitting can be comfortable, it is reportedly not healthy for your body. Prolonged sitting, studies show, can do more harm than good as it can damage your nerves over time. Sitting is said to affect the nerves most vulnerable to pain sensations, such as tingling, burning or stabbing pain. So make sure to stand every 30 minutes or so, do some stretches, exercise regularly, dance if you so wish, and if you can, walk around your home or in a park near you (make sure to wear a face mask and observe social distancing).

MACE app

Of course, nothing beats professional medical help. Thankfully, Medicard Philippines has MACE, a mobile app that allows you to request for a consultation; request approval for labs and diagnostics; view your utilization; view the status of your reimbursement; and even set up an appointment for a rapid antibody test for COVID-19 to help appease your mind. MACE (Medicard Access Express), which is one of the innovations offered by this leading health maintenance organization, truly offers the perfect alternative to consultations without having to brave the outside world amid this deadly COVID-19 pandemic.

Medicard members and non-members may avail of the rapid antibody testing for COVID-19 via the MACE app.

Sources: www.health.harvard.edu, https://ntc.lluh.org, medicardphils.com