5 Best Practices to Observe When Self Isolating Because of COVID-19

By Ivory Sanchez

More than a year since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, nations all over the world continue to battle this deadly disease. While great strides have already been made, particularly by way of developing and administering vaccines to as many people as possible, a clear and definitive end to the pandemic is not yet in sight. Thus, everybody still needs to do their part in terms of practicing good personal hygiene and being cautious in terms of physically socializing with others.

Most importantly, everyone should be aware of their health status and take initiative to isolate themselves at the slightest signs of ailments such as coughs, colds, or fever. Better yet, seek a swab test to find out for sure if you have COVID-19. In the event that you do and the symptoms you are experiencing are mild, medical professionals advise that you may undergo home quarantine and manage the disease at home through rest and medication. This practical decision can also help decongest hospitals and allow more severe cases an opportunity to get treated.

Meanwhile, here are some best practices to observe while self-isolating due to COVID-19:

Continue Wearing a Face Mask

Even if you are staying at home or in your room by yourself, you may still need to occasionally interact with other people such as family members or caregivers who administer medication or provide your daily sustenance. This is where the usefulness of an antimicrobial face mask comes in for your mutual protection. In comparison to an ordinary face mask, one that is made of specialized antimicrobial fabric ensures that pathogens don’t thrive on the fabric, thus decreasing the risk of transmission of the disease. Moreover, such types of reusable masks are more economical because you can wash and wear them many times over.

Sanitize and Disinfect

As you weather out the disease at home, it is vital that you keep your surroundings clean to prevent the virus from lingering or even spreading further. Regularly wipe down hard surfaces with disinfectant and continue practicing handwashing or hand sanitizing. Take a bath every day and launder clothes as well as linens regularly. You might want to invest in equipment such as an air purifier to help keep indoor air quality at an optimum level. Aside from those that use HEPA filters, there are air purifiers that make use of ion generators that release positive and negative ions to deactivate airborne viruses and bacteria.

Exercise and Keep Busy

Often, quarantining at home may lead to a sedentary lifestyle. Recuperating from a disease does not mean staying in bed all day and just stuffing your mouth with food. All the more, your body needs exercise to strengthen your cardiovascular system and, in turn, build up your immune system. Simple strength and cardio exercises such as push ups, crunches, jumping jacks, lunges, burpees, planks, and the like will do wonders in keeping your body in an active state. You can also keep yourself busy by doing household chores and by continuing to engage in your favorite pastimes as much as possible.

Hydrate and Sleep Well

Drinking enough water and getting sufficient sleep are two of the most overlooked and taken for granted health practices, even among those who are not suffering from COVID-19. It would be good to take the opportunity while under home quarantine to jumpstart these beneficial self-care routines. A nifty way to remind yourself of adequate liquid intake is to fill up two one-liter containers of water and to strive to finish them within the day. In terms of sleep, aim to keep a regular and consistent sleep schedule so that your body can establish a healthy sleep pattern. These days, it’s very easy to set a strict bedtime and wake-up time by utilizing the convenient alarms on your mobile phone.

Clear Your Mind and Reach Out to Others

COVID-19 is not only a physical disease but a mental one. Isolating at home might aggravate feelings of loneliness, helplessness, or desperation. Be sure to seek professional help if you encounter mental difficulties while battling COVID-19 at home. The good thing with technology these days is that you can easily seek medical consultations through phone or computer. Also, physical isolation does not necessarily mean emotional isolation as well. You ought to keep in touch with family and friends as it might help process your thoughts about your situation rather than bottling negative emotions up.

COVID-19 is definitely not an easy disease to deal with, but with mindfulness and determination, you may just as well overcome its mild form while quarantining at home. These simple but effective tips help to err on the side of caution, prevent others from being infected, as well as put you on the road to complete recovery as soon as possible.