According to the NHS, you must self-isolate if you have, or believe you might have, COVID-19. You are advised to self-isolate immediately if you have any symptoms of coronavirus, you have tested positive, you’re told to by Test and Trace, or someone in your bubble or household has tested positive.
If someone who you live with or within your support bubble has tested positive, it might be that you don’t have any symptoms at all and have to isolate too. Or, you might have offered to look after an elderly relative who is self-isolating so that they have some support and help. Either way, it is important to look after yourself too. Here are some top tips on how to stay healthy whilst isolating with a sick relative.
Get tested regularly
Worrying about whether you have contracted the virus or not can take a massive toll on your mental health. If you are looking after a relative too, this can leave you burnt out. This is why it is a good idea to get tested for the virus regularly.
Getting a family-friendly test through Myhealthchecked can give you some peace of mind about whether you have the virus or not. After taking the test, you can get your result within 48 hours. By knowing if you have tested positive or negative, it can ease any anxiety you might be experiencing about not knowing.
Practice self-care
Staying at home is another thing that can affect your mental health, so self-isolating could make you very down. Make sure to look after your mental health as much as you do your physical health. Even if it is something as simple as having your morning coffee in the garden for some fresh air, it can do you the world of good.
Some people will recommend meditation and yoga, but that isn’t for everyone. Self-care can be anything that works for you to build yourself back up again. It might be using a facemask, making sure you shower, eating your favourite meal, or even doing a full workout. Whatever makes you feel better personally is the right thing to do.
Eat a healthy diet
It goes without saying that when you are ill your body can crave certain things to help it feel better. When you have a cold, all we want is to snuggle on the couch with some orange juice, a hot toddy and some chicken noodle soup!
When you are self-isolating it is important that you try and eat a healthy and balanced diet. It can be tempting to order takeaway all the time (as long as you ask for no-contact delivery of course), but make sure to get in your fruit and veg for a boost of vitamins to your immune system. Even if you aren’t the one who is ill, it can help your body to protect itself against the virus.
As you can see there are many ways that we can look after ourselves whilst we are self-isolating. The main thing is to try and keep as healthy as you can, both physically and mentally. As much as you are there to look after your relative, make sure to look after yourself as well so that you don’t get burnt out.
