Search Results for: sleep

April 23, 2020 By Urvi Gohil 1 Comment

Tips To Get Rid of the Lockdown Boredom!

Right now, you’re probably experiencing a lot of boredom being in lockdown for this long. No doubt that we’re all dealing with it the best way we can as most of us aren’t used to being idle at home. Another way to look at this is that you get to spend more time with family! So, instead of getting anxious about this situation, let’s see how we can turn all that idle time into something productive!

8 Ideas To Drive Away The Lockdown Boredom

Start Your Skincare Routine: Instead of staring at screens all day, give your eyes some rest and your skin some relaxation! Try out homemade masks, ice packs, scrubs 3-4 times a week or intensify your night skin routine.
Cover Your Sleep Debt and take more rest. Sleep for an extra hour and you can ask everyone at home to do the same. If you’re wondering what sleep debt is, read this article: https://goqii.com/blog/tips-to-sleep-better/
Awaken Your Inner Chef: Trust me, it’s a pleasurable experience. If you want some easy, healthy recipes, check out the articles we’ve published so far on Healthy Reads. Take charge of the kitchen and toss up something yummy!
Tune In to Tune Out: Update your music playlist and move to the groove while doing your household chores. Have an instrument lying around? Pick it up and learn to play! We’re going to be starting some music classes on GOQii Play so keep an eye and ear out for that.
Game More: Playing cards, housie, name-place-animal-thin, antakshari, karaoke – the possibilities are endless when you think of it. Nothing like the good old games to bring your family together and drive away the boredom clouds of gloom!
Re-arrange Your Cupboard: Cupboards are never too tidy. Probably iron your clothes, separate old and new clothes. Keep aside some clothes which you think you can donate. It will keep you occupied and help you declutter for sure!
Meditate! Meditate! Meditate: Say Aum from your Home! Organize a family meditation hour. You can tune in to GOQii’s Guided Meditation feature in the app or follow our experts on GOQii Play for a session full of bliss, relaxation and who knows – possibly enlightenment too! You can also practice Pranayama and other Breathing Techniques.
Develop a Healthy Habit: Working on ourselves is a continuous process. It’s the right time to develop a healthy habit or discontinue a bad one. Probably you could start reading, do a mobile detox or take your home workouts to the next level.

There are many ways you can beat boredom at home. What are you doing to keep boredom away? Let us know in the comments below.

For more on nutrition, exercise, meditation and recipes – in fact, most of the tips above can all be found on GOQii Play. Download the app now!

Stay home, stay safe and #BeTheForce

April 20, 2020 By Soni Thakur 1 Comment

Can Regular Exercise Prevent COVID-19?

Apart from all the preventive measures we can take against COVID-19, should exercise be considered one of them? Can regular exercise actually protect us against COVID-19? Some might agree whereas others might not. In 1998, a large study showed that mild to moderate exercise performed about 4-5 times a week reduced the risk of dying during the Hong Kong flu outbreak. Could it be the same for COVID-19? Let’s find out!

Some Points to Consider

Indulging in regular exercise, mild to moderate, for 30-40 minutes, for 4-5 days a week of your own choice whether it is aerobics, dancing, Zumba, push-ups, squats, Pilates, etc. lifts up mood by releasing dopamine and serotonin (happy hormones) which is critical when faced with the challenge of staying inside with limited resources.
Exercising regularly can lower and keep your blood sugar level and blood pressure maintained, as people with these medical conditions are at high risk of getting infected with the coronavirus and other infections.
Research shows that exercise can influence the body’s immune system, which is of utmost importance while fighting against infections and viruses.
Exercise helps you sleep better and manage stress better, which can both be difficult when schedules are disrupted.
It can reduce the risk of other chronic diseases like heart problems, kidney failure, cancer etc.

Bottom Line

Not much research has been done on COVID-19. At this point in time, it is best to follow WHO guidelines and take necessary measures such as eating right, exercising regularly, maintaining proper hygiene, managing stress and getting good quality sleep. Remember that whatever the disease may be, prevention is always better than cure.

For more information on this topic, on building immunity and for home workouts, tune in to experts on GOQii Play or read more articles on Healthy Reads.

Stay home, stay safe, get active and #BeTheForce!

April 18, 2020 By Bhakti Mehta Leave a Comment

The Difference Between COVID-19 and Swine Flu

Scientists have studied the Flu for decades. Despite its dangers, we know a lot about the Flu and viruses that cause it. In contrast, very little is known about the novel coronavirus. Both COVID-19 and Flu are respiratory illnesses that spread from person to person. This article will discuss the differences between COVID-19 and the Flu.

What is Flu?

Virus has the capacity to make changes to their genes and mutate. Influenza A (Swine Flu) took genomes from animals and humans to mutate. Influenza A exists in pigs, birds and humans. The virus in pigs also contracted some from the birds and humans and mutated itself.

How is it different from COVID-19?

Corona is a virus family consisting of several viruses. The family is called Corona because the viruses are shaped like crowns in their appearance. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that occur in people as well as many different species of animals, including camels, cattle, cats and bats. This most recent outbreak, referred to as COVID-19, is a new strand of beta coronavirus that originated in China.

How are they Similar?

Both Corona and Flu viruses show symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, fatigue, aches and pain.
They both can lead to pneumonia and respiratory concerns – which in turn can lead to organ failure.
Both viruses are most serious for the elderly and those with compromised immune systems or pre-existing respiratory problems.
The Flu and Coronavirus are both contagious.
WHO indicates that people with Flu can pass the virus on before they show any symptoms. A person can also pass on the COVID-19 even if they have no symptoms.

How are they Different?

The symptoms of the Flu tend to occur faster and can have greater variation.
According to WHO, the speed of transmission differs between the two viruses. The symptoms of Flu appear sooner and it can spread faster than COVID-19.
According to WHO, around 15% of COVID-19 cases are severe and 5% are critical. Those in a critical state required a ventilator to breathe. The chance of severe and critical infection is higher with COVID-19 than the Flu.
There is vaccine and antiviral medication available to protect and fight against Flu. There are no vaccines for COVID-19 yet. Coronavirus is still so new that no vaccines or antiviral medications have yet proven effective against the virus.

In Conclusion

Both the Flu and Coronavirus should be taken seriously. Be wary and take hygiene seriously by washing your hands regularly and consider keeping a sanitizer handy. Social Distancing is really important to avoid further transmission. Drink adequate amounts of water, eat a balanced diet, exercise, get the right amount of good quality sleep!

For tips to boost your immunity, you can check out articles on Healthy Reads or tune in to GOQii Play!

Stay Home, Stay Safe, Get Active and #BeTheForce!

April 16, 2020 By Navnee Garg Leave a Comment

Coconut Oil As An Immunity Booster

Given the current situation, the pandemic has gotten most of us to focus on our health. We are in fact taking a step towards eating clean and boosting our immunity to fight the virus. But, boosting immunity is not a temporary need, we should always focus on it. It is our shield against infections and disease. Let’s look at one food which helps us do this – Coconut Oil!

We use butter, ghee or refined oil while cooking our meals. These are not only fattening but they also make us lethargic and weaken our immune system. On the other hand, coconut oil is a well-known superfood which can be used as a supplement for cooking. It has Medium Chain Fatty Acids (MCFAs) which make it easier to digest. This fantastic oil has antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial and antimicrobial properties which help to keep us healthy and immune.

Why Coconut Oil to Boost Immunity?

Coconut oil is blessed with two special ingredients which makes it excellent for immunity. These are lauric acid and caprylic acid – both have antiviral properties. Both the acids are well known for fighting off yeast overgrowth (candida) along with bacterial infections. The composition of coconut oil consists of 50% lauric acid which is converted to monolaurin by the body – which is an antiviral agent that fights off a variety of pathogens and viruses. Though it hasn’t been found to be a proven cure for any disease, the antiviral properties in coconut oil have been through extensive research. Coconut oil also enhances our metabolism in addition to strengthening the immune system which will protect the body against atmospheric impurities.

How Do You Use It Effectively?

If you’re looking to boost your immunity naturally, simply use a teaspoon of coconut oil a day.

As Cooking Oil: Use a teaspoon of coconut oil for cooking purposes which would help to curb fatigue and muscle pain with regular usage. You can stir it in coffee to make bulletproof coffee or you can even use it in any of your dishes like oatmeal, soups, smoothies, stews, or even make dessert and cook your veggies in it. If the taste is an issue, you can also use coconut butter which retains all the fiber naturally found in coconut, along with some of the oil.
For Skincare: We absorb everything we put on our skin directly into the bloodstream, within minutes of contact. Try mixing it in your moisturizer as this shall help you build a shield against viruses and bacteria. This can help you protect your skin just like internal organs when it comes to fighting off immunity invaders. Women can also use it as make up removers to keep the skin glowing and healthy.

Remember, though coconut oil has many benefits, it is not a cure for any illness. One needs to have a balanced diet, exercise well, stay hydrated, sleep well and stay stress-free to live a healthy life. That being said, if you are already taking a healthy balanced diet and want an extra boost, try to add some superfoods in your diet, including coconut oil and garlic, which also has immunity-boosting properties. Avoid refined coconut oils and go with extra-virgin and organic for the best quality.

For more tips on boosting immunity and immunity-boosting foods, tune in to GOQii Play. Do leave your thoughts in the comments below.

Stay home, stay safe and #BeTheForce!