A doctor’s advice in the time of lockdown
Doctor Speaks
By Dr Sunita Dube
These are tough times, and there would be more problems ahead. But we as people need to recognise our strengths and work with hope and energy.
Dr Sunita Dube is a renowned MD radiologist and founder chairman of MedScapeIndia. She is actively involved in the fight against Coronavirus. She talked to MyCoup about the ongoing crisis, lockdown and our mental states during this time.
Realise what’s relevant
This is the time to realise. We are realising that we had been doing a lot of things which we actually didn’t need. We were just doing those things because the world expected us to do.
Now that we’re home, we know that we can stay away from junk food, our kids don’t need toys every week, we don’t need to go shopping every now and then, going out is not a norm, staying home and spending time with your family is.
It’s during the time of crisis, that we understand the worth of things about which we really cared. This is the time to spend with your loved ones, to do activities with your kids, to know what’s relevant and to pluck out what’s not.
Kids should know what’s happening
Dr Dube says that parents shouldn’t sugarcoat the happenings around us. Wee don’t have to be insensitive, but we also need to tell them the truth. Kids deserve to know why they can’t go out to play, why they can’t meet friends, why school is shut, and why they should wash their hands several times a day.
It is the time when we are developing their future. We should today create children who can benefit the nation tomorrow. We know how important doctors, teachers and community helpers are today. This has given them a newfound respect in the eyes of common man. Our children too should understand this.
We can keep them busy with their favourite activities and can also teach them everything we wanted to. The time to crib, “I can hardly have a second with my children” is over. Here they are, spend time with them.
Fight anxiety, stay positive
A lot of people, who Dr Dube comes in contact with deal with anxiety too because of the changes around them. We are used to a particular way of life and when that routine changes, we get disturbed. Indians still don’t know how to work from home. But that needs to change.
She suggests that people should engage themselves in activities they like. Pick up a hobby, or just talk to a friend you haven’t talked to in ages. Read a book or watch a movie lying in your wish list.
Spend time with your family. But also stay fit. Try to exercise inside the house for sometime, in whatever way you can. And above all, stay safe and stay indoors.
(Dr Sunita Dube is the Founder Chairman of MedScapeIndia, Aryan Medical and Educational Trust and Managing Director of Dolphin Healthcare. She has been working to combat Covid 19 in the country along with other doctors and the government. Her fitness programmes are hugely popular with people of all walks of life.)
Rate Now