Lack of physical activity may increase a person’s risk for more severe COVID-19, as well as death from the disease, according to a study published by the British Journal of Sports Medicine.
People with the virus who exercised little during the two years before becoming infected were about twice as likely to be admitted to the hospital. In addition, they had a 2 1/2 times higher risk for death compared with infected people who consistently met physical activity guidelines before the pandemic. We have known for a long time that people who are inactive are at higher risk of many diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease. In many cases, the risk for these health problems also increases with a lack of physical activity. COVID-19 patients who were consistently inactive before infection also were 20% more likely to be hospitalized, 10% more likely to need intensive care unit treatment, and 32% more likely to die from the virus than those who were doing at least some physical activity regularly.
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During the pandemic, nurses and other essential healthcare workers have spent long shifts in close contact with patients suffering from COVID-19. This has left nurses with little time for exercise, rest, and other crucial self-care practices, and led to spikes in depression and nurse burnout. At SelfCare for HealthCare, we firmly believe that to provide patients with quality care, you need to care for your nurses, first. We help healthcare providers implement evidence-based practices across their organizations in order to establish sustainable behavioral change. With our assistance, you can promote nurse self-care, decrease nurse burnout, increase employee engagement and retention, and improve your bottom line. Visit our website to learn more, and contact us today to schedule a consultation.
