"Self-isolation is difficult, but there are things we can do to look after our mental wellbeing" during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, said Stephen Buckley to Daily Mail.
Buckley, who is the head of information of the mental charity Mind, said physical and mental health are connected. "Try to create a routine for your day, finding time for physical exercise, as physical and mental health are connected," he said.
According to WebMD, "Exercise releases endorphins, a feel-good chemical that "interacts with the receptors in your brain that reduce your perception of pain."
Buckley added a healthy diet and nature are also beneficial to one's health. "'Maintaining a healthy diet and connecting with nature - even just tending to plants in the home - can help boost your wellbeing, too."
Stay away from stress, but closer to things that remove stress
News about the pandemic can be scheduled and added to one's routine. However, loved ones must never be kept in the background.
Buckley said, "If you find news about the pandemic stressful, you might find it helpful to have a set time once a day or every two days when you look at it for a limited period."
Technology has made it easier to communicate with anyone today. "Do prioritize keeping in touch with your family and friends via video chat, phone or text." If they live under the same roof, observe social distancing and proper cough etiquette to avoid the spread of COVID-19.
Social distancing does not apply to household pets, such as cats and dogs, even if coronaviruses "are a family of viruses that cause disease in animals. They must still receive the same amount of love before the pandemic began.
Pat pets as much as possible
According to The Independent, "Anxiety disorders and depression also can be eased by the loving presence of a pet. Canines have the unique ability to pick up on how we are feeling according to various studies, and similar research is being carried out with cats."
The Science Times reported Loki, a therapy dog in Baltimore, and her owner Caroline Benzel has been conducting digital therapy visits via FaceTime to hospital staff. Their services have been highly in demand, which led them to launch the Hero Healing Kit for front-liners.
Peace of mind is a valuable resource during the pandemic. An animal's sense of smell is also a must-have during this difficult time.
Good News Network reported Medical Detection Dogs, a medical charity in England, has trained dogs to sniff out COVID-19. Dr. Claire Guest, a behavioral psychologist and principal member of Medical Detection Dogs said, "there is absolutely no reason why a dog can't detect the virus."
Medical Detection Dogs is partnering with London's Tropical Medicine and Hygiene School and Durham University to begin trials. This will enable doctors and nurses to save lives faster because they can immediately tell if a patient has COVID-19 or not.
It may prevent things like cytokine storms from occurring. The body releases proteins called cytokines, orchestrating the body's immune response and resulting in inflammation.
But sometimes that process "runs out of control - as more immune cells pour in, the inflammation gets worse, and this can cause organ failure and be deadly. Why it occurs in some people is not known," according to Daily Mail.
