Federal doctor: some advice

The lockdown needed for a few weeks to contain the pandemic will change our daily habits and routines. Below you will find the recommendations of Gérald Blücher, FFPLUM's doctor and a Board member, on screen time, your diet, physical activity, staying in touch and managing your medication.

Manage your screen time: digital resources are available and accessible from our various screens. It is essential to organise, for yourself and your children, not only the programme of sources but also screen time. Of course, you need to alternate with "traditional" activities to limit the time spent in front of screens.

Prefer a balanced diet: take the time to revisit your eating habits by drawing up a shopping list for healthy eating (vegetables, fruit, fish, meat) and enjoying it. Plan your menus as a family: it is also a good way to make cooking a shared activity and to manage your stocks better.

Take up regular physical activity: lockdown reduces travel and therefore the body's physical activity. Able-bodied people with no sports equipment or garden can follow tutorials available on the web. The aim is to exercise regularly according to your abilities. No oversized goals: sport is above all about enjoyment and progressing step by step. For the reluctant, walking or running around your home for at least half an hour is an accessible solution…

Keep in touch: isolating yourself is sometimes necessary, as is taking time for yourself. So, alone or with family, make the most of keeping in contact with loved ones and friends. Especially towards the most vulnerable or isolated.

Managing medication: it is recommended to avoid NSAID anti-inflammatories, notably ibuprofen (Advil, Nurofen, Spifen...), Voltaren, Nifluril... and corticosteroids. They are thought to make the illness caused by covid-19 worse. In case of pain or fever, paracetamol (Doliprane, Efferalgan, Dafalgan) should be preferred as a first resort for self-medication.

If in doubt, contact your doctor.

Gérald Blücher

Federal Doctor