Pacific Family Health Journal

Tips for staying healthy during COVID-19 Lockdown

By Dr. Rodney Itaki | View PNGBUZZ.COM Disclaimer link at bottom of article

August 5, 2020

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Pacific Family Health Journal

Here are some tips for keeping you in good health if you are living in one of the urban centres in PNG and in a lockdown situation.

Practice good sleep hygiene: Try to get enough sleep. I would recommend minimum 6 hours of sleep. This means latest for bedtime for adults maybe around 12am. Make sure your children also sleep early. Maybe latest at 10pm.
Keep yourself well hydrated: Lockdown is a stressful period. So keep yourself well hydrated by drinking a lot of water. Reduce high calorie drinks like soda (soft drinks). Try to reduce number of coffee cups late at night.
Keep physically active: There might be restriction on public areas so keep physically active by cleaning the house, re-arrange a few things in the house if you need and maybe start on a landscaping project around your house. Be active for at least 60 minutes a day or short 30 minute periods of being physically active throughout the day.
If you like writing as I do, why not start on a small book project and get it published. It will keep your mind focused and active on a positive goal.
Let kids have their playtime: Children react to stress differently to adults. Observe for changes in behavior such as increased or reduced appetite, change in sleep times, increased tantrums or not enjoying things they enjoy or refusing to play with their friends. Allow children to have their playtime if you can. More information can be found on the CDC website.
Avoid too much alcohol.
Avoid binge eating of junk food.
Avoid movie marathons: This has become a favorite pastime during lockdowns. Why not start reading a good book or novel? Get kids to do some school work or read as well, especially at night.

For those living in the smaller towns in PNG and rural and remote locations, I think the lockdown rules might not affect them as much as it would be for people living in crowded urban areas like Port Moresby, Lae, Mt. Hagen, Madang, Goroka and others.

Dr Rodney Itaki, MBBS, BMedSci