When coronavirus (COVID-19) became widespread in March 2020 and residents everywhere were asked to shelter in place, I started receiving questions from people wanting to know how to both protect themselves and still maintain their health during the pandemic.
Since the main focus of our medical practice is to improve lives, first by improving the circulation in patient’s legs and secondly, by helping restore a healthy lifestyle, I felt it important to address this. Quarantine is a useful method for controlling the spread of contagious diseases and viruses, but over extended periods of time, it has its downsides. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and strengthening your body’s natural immunities - both mentally, emotionally and physically - requires a little more.
Social Distancing Doesn’t Have to Mean Staying Indoors
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends maintaining a six foot distance from people, but that doesn’t mean you need to stay shut up in your house indefinitely. Make time to sit outside in your own yard, go for a walk, ride a bike or any other activity that gets you outdoors while still following safety guidelines. Even a few minutes of outdoor activity can have a positive effect on your physical and emotional health.
Downside of Sheltering in Place Inside
You will quickly become bored if you stay inside all the time and rarely interact with the outside world. Over time, the boredom could lead to serious depression and anxiety. This is especially true if you spend a lot of time watching the TV news or reading about the pandemic online. The best thing you can do for your mental health in this situation is turn the TV and computer off and go outside.
Exposure to the sun helps your body fight against depression. That is because regular sun exposure helps to increase serotonin levels and keep them balanced. Serotonin is a chemical in the brain responsible for regulating mood. If you have ever felt especially happy and had a strong sense of well-being after exercising, you experienced one of the natural benefits of high levels of serotonin.
A depleted supply has the opposite effect and may increase feelings of sadness, anxiety, anger, fear, and other challenging emotions. Clinical depression is the typical result when emotions build up without any change in routine or relief of symptoms. You may have panic attacks or could develop an anxiety disorder.
Benefits of Fresh Air and Sunshine
Sunlight contains Vitamin D that can help keep depression at bay. Vitamin D is also useful for fighting cancer, osteoporosis, and certain skin conditions. It can reduce symptom severity with inflammatory bowel disease, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and thyroiditis. Exercising outdoors is one of the best things you can do for both your physical and mental health.
15 Minutes a Day is All You Need
Most people can find 15 minutes a day in their schedule to get outside to work in the yard, read, ride their bicycle, or go for a walk. That’s all it takes to reap the benefits of Vitamin D from the sun making direct contact with your skin. Fresh air and sunshine will improve your health both mentally and physically. It will support your natural immune system and help you sleep better.
To avoid painful sunburn or an increased skin cancer risk, be sure to apply sunscreen if you will be outside for longer periods of time. You can still wear a mask and maintain physical distance from other people you encounter when outside. This keeps everyone safe while also keeping yourself healthy.
Be aware that, if you struggle with chronic fatigue and ongoing sleeplessness, there may be an underlying vein condition. We invite you to download our eBook to learn more. If you suspect that a vein condition may be at play, visit our online vein screening for more information and photos that can answer some of your questions. In the meantime, stay healthy by social distancing, wearing a mask, washing your hands...and spending time in the sun.
