Being active keeps stress and anxiety levels down

THE reaction in Penang to the new cases of Covid-19 in the state and arrival of Indonesian patients seeking medical treatment there shows that the worry and anxiety level among Penangites is very high.

Covid-19 has been with us for over six months and there is every likelihood that it will continue to be a problem for a while more, so we will have to live with it.

High anxiety and excessive stress are detrimental to health, reducing our ability to fight against infection and may make us more susceptible to Covid-19.

To reduce anxiety, people should diligently practise the measures recommended by the Health Ministry. The coronavirus enters through the nose, mouth and eyes, and we should not be touching these parts of the body with dirty hands.

Wearing a face mask while in public places is wise, and avoiding close contact with other people should become a habit.

But avoiding a market near the hospital or stopping hospital staff who were not in contact with Covid-19 patients from entering/leaving their residence or their children from going to school are all inappropriate.

To fight off infections, the Harvard Medical School advises adequate exercise and physical activity. A study of over 480,000 patients in China showed that major cardiovascular diseases were lower among those with higher levels of physical activity, whether the increase in activity is related to work or from leisure time exercise.

The fight against Covid-19 is a marathon, and to successfully win it, we must adopt the new habits recommended by the health authorities and also manage our stress level.

DR ONG HEAN TEIK , DR HANIFFAH GAFOOR , DR B. GUNASEKARAN , Penang