Keeping our senses healthy

Many of us found ourselves putting in more hours when we started working from home. We may not realize it, but we’re now practically glued to our laptops or desktops, tablets and smartphones. And this is pushing our senses to the limit.

Sight

Our eyes, in particular, are taking most of the brunt. I’m sure at one point, you’ve experienced headaches, dry eyes, dizziness and sudden blurred visions when you stare at the screen for too long. After that, I’m sure your neck, back and shoulders start hurting as well.

There’s no excuse: You must take good care of those pretty peepers and there are many ways to do so.

First, see to it that you take regular breaks from staring at your gadgets’ screens. Have you heard of the 20-20-20 rule? Eye doctors suggest that we should look away from our screens for 20 seconds every 20 minutes and focus on something that’s 20 feet away. Pick out a tree or a building outside your window as your “eye rest.”

Proper lighting is critical, too. Make sure that your workspace at home is well lit. Your screens should also be neither too bright or too dim.

Hearing

Our ears get to suffer, too, at some point. By this time, many of us have become inseparable from our earphones—whether it’s to attend a Zoom meeting, to listen to our workday playlist or to simply cancel the noise that comes with working at home. But hear this: prolonged earphone use has its dangers, from hearing loss and dizziness to ear infections.

Always check that your earphones are clean before plugging it to your ears. Limit the amount of time that your earphone use. And if the person beside you can hear it, that means it’s too loud—so turn down the volume.

Taste, smell

Loss of taste and/or smell is among the symptoms of COVID-19 so naturally, it’s something we’ve always been on the lookout for. But there are other factors that can threaten these two interconnected senses as well.

If you’re in a room that has 24/7 airconditioning, the dry air may be affecting your nasal airways and consequently, your sense of smell. Consider keeping a humidifier by your side. Houseplants, too, can add humidity to your indoor spaces.

If you want to be extra cautious from losing your sense of smell, try having a cup of ginger tea a day. It helps tame down the inflammation of the nasal airways. It would also go a long way if you include in your diet food rich in zinc and antioxidants. These help protect both your senses of smell and taste.

Touch

“All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy,” says the proverb. It can also cause you bad skin if you don’t move, hydrate or get some some sun.

Remember, even if you’re at home all the time, keep your skin well nourished. Slap on some lotion and moisturizer once out of the shower. Drink plenty of water. Get a healthy dose of sunshine but wear sunscreen as you do and protect your eyes with sunglasses.

Telemedicine

But if your eye strain won’t go away or you’re in a panic because of this annoying ringing in your ears, it is of course best to consult with a doctor. Good thing that there are now alternatives to in-person consultations. Medicard Philippines Inc., for one, has made it easier to talk with a medical professional through its incredibly convenient telemedicine service.

Through telemedicine, Medicard members can consult with the health maintenance organization’s trusted team of medical professionals without risking transmission of COVID-19. You won’t even have to step out of the safe confines of your home to address your concerns with a doctor whether it is for primary care or specialist consultations.

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