“Optimal health is not only the absence of disease but a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being,” says Amar Ranjan Dey, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Commerce & Management, Tetso College. Speaking as the resource person during the DO Talks Webinar Series on the topic ‘Combating COVID-19 with Optimal Health’ which was held on 18th May 2020, Dey highlighted on the prime causes of the viral attack caused by the coronavirus popularly known as COVID-19 in our body and advised on preventive measures to boost immunity and maintain optimal health.
Dey briefly highlighted the history of the COVID-19, its main causes, symptoms and the statistics of worldwide cases as well as in the country such as confirmed, active, deceased and recovery cases. He also explained how the tests to detect a potential case is conducted.
Stating that good health is a combination of proper nutrition, regular exercise, adequate relaxation and sleep, and having a positive mental attitude, the presenter pointed out that a big misconception on the part of most people is that we often mistake food for nutrition. The difference, he said, is that food is what we eat on a daily basis while nutrition is what the body requires and added that requirements for different individuals differ on various factors like culture, geography, availability, etc.
He said that the major nutrients required in a human body are water, carbohydrates, fat, protein, vitamins and minerals, all of which should be ingested in correct amounts or proportions which can vary according to age and physical exertion.
In order to boost immunity naturally against disease-causing viruses, Dey recommended including a healthy dose of fruits, green vegetables, ginger, cloves garlic, turmeric, honey and citrus fruits as well as vitamins and minerals. He also called for changes in lifestyle habits and recommended walking (30 minutes minimum), adequate sleep (6-8 hours), timely eating, yoga and meditation on a daily basis.
In his concluding remarks, the resource speaker asserted that we can keep ourselves healthy by reducing stress, avoiding polluted air and water, avoiding active and passive smoking, avoiding unscientific ways of exercise and improper use of medicines, and lastly, by increasing anti-oxidant levels in the body.