Managing Your Health While Staying Home During the COVID-19 Crisis
By Dr. Rebecca Eleck-Bruce
Primary Care Medical Director, Wheeler
As challenged as we are by the COVID-19 outbreak, there are signs of hope in many corners of our state, including the arrival of spring. While many of us remain at home, there are tangible steps we can take to manage our chronic health conditions and preserve our overall health and well-being. Here are some ideas.
Get Outside and Keep Moving. Daily walks or experimenting with a walk-run training program in quieter areas away from crowded sidewalks and trails are a great place to start. You can pursue these activities alone or with family members who live in your home. The risk of transmitting the virus just by walking past another person in an outdoor space is minimal if you’re not spending a lot of time in close proximity.
Eat a Plant-based Diet, which can help address chronic health conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol. Fruits, vegetables, brown rice, and cooked or rinsed canned beans are all part of a healthy approach, and pretty much any fruit or veggie can and should be part of a healthy diet, whether fresh, frozen, or canned. To the extent you can, avoid or limit your intake of fried foods, chips, cookies, and salt.
Manage Your Chronic Health Conditions through movement every day, including walking, dancing, yoga, or a similar activity. If you have internet access, there are several free options available for yoga or Zumba workouts. If you have kids, visit GoNoodle, and do some of those dances with them!
Stay Connected. Call and talk with friends and family, schedule Zoom hangouts, do whatever it is you can within social distancing guidelines to maintain your relationships. We need to be physically distant from each other, but not socially distant.
Take Care of Yourself. Stay attuned to a shift in your habits, including how much you are drinking, smoking, or misusing substances.
Reach Out for Support. Wheeler offers care and treatment through telehealth and telemedicine services to address behavioral health and medical concerns, including management of chronic conditions. Medication adjustment and goal setting also are provided and can be monitored regularly. We’re taking new patients in medical and behavioral health and welcome the opportunity to talk with you about how you can live healthier and happier, even in this chaotic time. Best of all, we can arrange for care without you having to leave your home. Call Wheeler’s Navigation Center at 860.793.3500 or toll-free at 888.793.3500 for information or to set up an appointment.
Seek Additional Care When Necessary. If you are not feeling well physically, reach out to your provider to discuss how best to proceed. Many people with COVID-19 or other illnesses can be monitored and treated at home. Wheeler’s primary care team can schedule remote visits and check in as often as necessary. If you are having trouble breathing, call 911 immediately. If you do not feel safe at home, connect with local domestic/intimate partner violence resources, including CT Safe Connect, and the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
Your health and well-being can help anchor you during this uncertain time. Do what you can to promote and maintain both. For information about services at Wheeler and to access care, call 860.793.3500 or toll-free 888.793.3500.
