Exercise: key to a happy and healthy wellbeing – Disability & Rehab Services Dir. reaffirms

−As stay at home advisory continues to be enforced

−Elderly persons specifically targeted

DPI, Guyana, Monday, May 18, 2020

Director of Disability and Rehabilitation Services of the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Ariane Mangar has reminded of the importance of exercise during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Mangar explained that physical activity and exercise help to boost the immune system, increase muscle and bone strength, improve lung and heart health and improve emotional health.

She urged persons to exercise at home and in their communities — while observing all the precautions for Covid-19 such as social distancing.

“We encourage you to walk to the gate and back or go up and down the stairs, a few times in the morning and/or evening, or even to walk around tending to the garden. These can go a far way in providing the physical and mental exercise that you need.”

Dr Manager listed several exercises that persons can practice:

• • Walk at a moderate pace for 15–30 minutes. However, if you are doing this for the first time, aim for five-to-10-minutes and then increase the time gradually.
  • Try deep-breathing exercises throughout the day to maintain and improve your breathing.
  • Use a chair to do some sit-to-stand exercises, heel raises, arm circles, seated knee extensions, and to march on the spot.

She specifically highlighted the fact that the elderly population should also to maintain mobility as it has a list of benefits accrued.

Some tips to keep seniors with pre-existing conditions under control fit include maintaining a balanced diet, consulting their physician before stopping the use of mediation, ensuring to have a month’s supply of medication.

It was also recommended that they reduce the number of hours spent of sitting and lying in bed, practice safe at-home exercises and or put away rugs, mats and small furniture to help decrease the risks of falls.

Meanwhile, Dr. Mangar noted that Rehabilitation professionals working with persons with disabilities have had to adjust their response in terms of providing this essential service due the COVID-19-pandemic

“We as Rehabilitation professionals have a critical role to play globally, as well as in Guyana, in maintaining the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities during this coronavirus pandemic,” she stated.