Page 20 - Florida Sentinel 6-5-20

Health
After months of working from home full-time, extended furloughs or being unemployed, many people throughout the country are returning to the workplace as stay-at-home or- ders begin to lift.
The new phase may under- standably cause anxiety for some. The world we’re in is al- ready different than the one we left in March when everything started to close down. Buildings and elevators have smaller ca- pacity limits, some stores don’t allow customers in without masks and many restaurants and local businesses are having to rebuild their entire operations models.
Researchers say it’s impor-
tant for those re-entering the workforce to take special mental health measures before return- ing to work. The same goes for steps that can be taken to ensure that everyone remains physi- cally healthy as well and does their best to prevent a second wave of infections.
In case you had any con- cerns, here are six tips to help transition safely to a post- COVID-19 work life:
1. Be proactive to allevi- ate stress
Many people already have experienced a lot of stress dur- ing this difficult time, and ad- justing to being back in the workplace may add to that anx-
iety. Using stress-reduction apps, practicing mindfulness and practicing self-care that calms your breathing and nerves are all effective ways to keep a level head.
Additionally, your diet will play a big part in fighting stress and building resistance from the virus. It has been proven that stress significantly weakens your immune system, so it’s im- portant to put a meal and sup- plement plan in place ahead of reentering your workplace. For instance, according to Harvard Medical School, there is some evidence that various micronu- trient deficiencies — for exam- ple, deficiencies of zinc, selenium, iron, copper, folic acid, and vitamins A, B6, C, and E — alter immune responses in animals, as measured in the test tube.
2. Create a healthy meal plan
Eating the wrong foods can have an immense effect on your stress levels and can in turn af- fect the immune system. As the immune system consists of or- gans, cells, tissues, and proteins, it is essential to inject the body with proper nutrients on a regu- lar basis. Together, these carry out bodily processes that fight off pathogens, which are the viruses, bacteria and foreign bodies that cause infection or
disease.
When the immune system
comes into contact with a pathogen, it triggers an immune response. The immune system releases antibodies, which at- tach to antigens on the pathogens and kill them.
According to a 2017 review, curcumin has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
3. Don’t let your guard down
Just because the COVID-19 bans are lifting doesn’t mean the threat is over and life is back to normal. You still need to take precautions – wash your hands for 20 seconds while taking five big deep breaths or singing a song, keep hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes handy and clean surfaces often. Wear a mask, avoid common areas and keep meetings to 10 people or less whenever possible.
4. Maintain your dis- tance
Avoid piling into conference
rooms and keep your workspace at least six feet from your near- est colleague whenever possible. Zoom meetings have exploded during the quarantine, but we suggest continuing that method after it’s over. Additionally, al- though some states are report- ing declining COVID-19 cases, limiting direct contact is still ad- vised to prevent a spread.
5. Stay active to be well
It has been reported that regular physical activity helps to boost your immune system and fight off illnesses. Researchers have reported that more than half of chronic conditions are preventable by engaging in moderate lifestyle behavioral changes, such as exercise 3-4 times weekly, eating at least a balanced diet with fruits and vegetables, and limiting smok- ing and alcohol intake. Those small changes can make a major difference in fighting the virus if you contract it.
6. Be considerate
Stay home if you’re feeling unwell and be on the lookout for the COVID-19 vaccine when available in the future. As work- places release reopening plans, many are monitoring employee health with measures such as daily temperature checks. In fact, keep a thermometer handy to manage your numbers. If you feel like your employer is resist- ing safety precautionary meas- ures, say something. You’ll thank yourself later, trust us.
We hope these tips will help you have a seamless transition back into work.
COFFEE
A cup of coffee can be good for your health (thanks to its antioxidants), but too much coffee can cause your nervous system functions to operate improperly. A daily dose of 400 mg of caffeine is considered safe. However, if you consume more than 500 – 600 mg of caffeine per day, this can be excessive and de- pending on the individual, can cause symptoms like in- somnia, irritability, stomach cramps, muscle tremors, heart palpitations and nerv- ousness.
PAGE 8-B FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY FRIDAY FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2020