During the pandemic period, many problems can result from spending long stretches of time with family members in a tight space and being constantly overwhelmed with information about the pandemic. It can also cause depression, as well as physical changes such as chest congestion and insomnia. These are all common responses to stressful situations.
As stressful as it might feel sometimes to be stuck with family, it’s important that you realise that it’s your duty to ensure they are safe. What’s more, spending time with them is a blessing in disguise and a potentially crucial component to wellbeing. Spending more time together as a family is also an opportunity for parents to communicate better with their children so their kids will have a healthier outlook during a lockdown.
Family members must remain the most important source of support during the COVID-19 outbreak. By assisting all family members in feeling safe, positive, and maintaining a healthy mind, you’re essentially cultivating a caring and productive home environment.
This is the reality for people who live with a loved one who may be more prone to COVID-19. Elderly people and people with underlying medical disorders, such as hypertension, lung disease, moderate-to-severe asthma, diabetes, severe obesity, and chronic cardiac conditions, are at a higher risk of serious sickness from COVID-19, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
We as Malaysians should follow these essential wellness steps to flatten the curve, beat the virus, and ensure that the vulnerable members of your household remain physically and mentally healthy.
Here are a few basic steps to follow in order to improve you and your family’s chances of optimal health and safety during this time of crisis:
1. Try To Keep Your Distance From Delivery Workers During The Pandemic Period
If you need to walk outside to get something delivered, stay 1 meter away from the personnel. After picking up the mail and handling parcels or other items from outside your home, wash your hands. If possible, pay for everything (including tips) online.
2. Choose Safe Social Activities
Calling, using video chat, or staying connected through social media can help you stay socially engaged with friends and family who don’t reside in your house. Stay at least 1-meter away from individuals who are not from your household while meeting others in person (e.g., at modest outdoor events, yard, or driveway gatherings with a small number of friends or family members).
3. Keep Distance at Events and Gatherings
Like most other parts of the world right now, social distancing remains one of the focal points for wellness in Malaysia. It is best to keep away from busy venues and parties where staying at least 6 feet away from those who are not from your household may be a challenge. If you are in a crowded area, attempt to maintain a 1-meter distance between you and others at all times, and wear a mask.
Masks are particularly useful when physical separation is problematic. Attendees should follow any tangible guides, such as tape markings on floors or signs on walls, directing them to stand at least 1 m apart in lines or at other times. Allow 1-meter of space between you and other people when passing by them in both indoor and outdoor environments.
4. Designate One Person To Run Errands And Minimize The Number Of Times That Person Needs To Leave The House
Stock up on non-perishable food. Make sure your designated errand-runner wears a mask, avoids touching door handles and elevator buttons with his or her hands, and maintains social distance when leaving the house. Consider supermarket delivery, curbside pick-up, and take-out alternatives. When you get home from an errand, quickly wash your hands, and sanitize any surfaces you may have touched before doing so (such as a door or faucet handle).
5. Parenting In Crowded Homes
Limit the number of people who leave and return to your immediate living environment to as few as possible. Explain to your children that physically removing themselves from others is a vital part of keeping themselves and their community healthy. Give them positive reinforcements when they do attempt their best at social distancing.
In cramped quarters, it’s challenging to look after children and other family members, but it’s a lot easier when tasks are shared. Try to evenly distribute domestic work, childcare, and other responsibilities among family members. Make a timetable with the other adults in your household for “on” and “off” time. When you are weary or anxious, it is okay to ask for assistance so that you can rest.
Encourage your children to come up with ways of socially distanced exercising with others who do not reside in your close vicinity. Jumping, dancing, and running in circles can all be enjoyable hobbies that lead to happier and healthy kids.
6. If You Work In Healthcare, Clean Up Before You Interact
Take off your shoes and work clothes before entering your home when you arrive home from work and place them in a plastic bag until you can wash them. Before you engage with your family, go straight to the shower (using soap and towels that’s separate from ones used by your family members) and change into clean clothes.
We’re all living in stressful times at the moment, and while it seems like there’s no end in sight, we have to remain hopeful that things will return back to normal sooner than later. Until then, it’s our priority to keep ourselves and our loved ones as safe as possible.
