Stay Healthy

The best offense to any virus or disease, is a good defense. Take good care of yourself and your family members to prevent the spread of disease and to stay healthy. Healthy people are better prepared to fight off any disease.

	Wash Your Hands Washing your hands with soap and water can help prevent the spread of the germs (like bacteria and viruses) that cause diseases. Scrub the entire surface of your hands for 20 seconds—or as long as it takes to sing the Happy Birthday song twice! Wash your hands after using the restroom, as soon as you come home, after coughing or blowing your nose and before making or eating food. How to wash hands thoroughly | Interview with Jarrod Bagatell, MD
	Good Nutrition Maintaining good nutrition with fruits, vegetables, whole grains and good sources of protein helps fuel the body to resist disease and infection. Eating Well When You are Confined to Home | Interview with Upstate registered dietitian nutritionist, Juliann Mellen
	Stay Hydrated Drink water every day to help flush toxins from the body while improving your body’s systems like your respiratory system. A good rule of thumb is to drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day. Staying Hytdrated is Important in Sickness and in Health
	Activity and Exercise Exercise can help decrease your risk of getting sick by strengthening your body’s immune response. Aim for 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity a week. Even if the gym is closed, go for a brisk walk, climb stairs in your home and try some body weight exercises if you are able. Ways to Continue Activity in Isolation | Interview with Carol Sames, PhD, exercise physiologist
	Sleep More sleep may not prevent you from getting sick, but not having enough quality rest for your body can negatively affect your immune system, leaving you at risk. Guidelines for sleeping well when you are worried or anxious, from Antonio Culebras, MD Learn more about how to get better sleep: An expert’s suggestions for getting proper sleep, Antonio Culebras, MD
	Mental Health Your mental health includes your emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices so it’s important to take care of yourself. Social workers care for the caregivers during pandemic, their tips can work for the public as well Upstate experts share advice on how to take precautions, stay healthy and manage stress during pandemic Helping children and teens cope with coronavirus anxiety Ways to manage stress during times of crisis