Your guide to staying healthy while social distancing
Whether shielding or self-isolating, many of us are spending a lot more time at home in an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19. When our daily schedules and sense of normalcy are disrupted, it can be harder to prioritize and maintain a healthy lifestyle, but all the more important to do so. Here are our top tips for staying physically and mentally healthy while social distancing:
Eat a nutrient-dense breakfast
When you start the day off by eating something healthy, it helps to kick start your brain and metabolism. It also makes it easier to continue making healthy decisions throughout the day.
Some nutrient-dense breakfast ideas:
Oatmeal with ground flaxseed, chopped nuts, and drizzle of honey or maple syrup
Scrambled eggs on sprouted grain bread with mashed avocado
Greek yogurt with ground flaxseed, berries, and almonds/walnuts
Omelet with spinach, tomato, onion, bell peppers, and cheese
Exercise regularly, and do something for movement especially in the morning
Now that you aren’t commuting to work, use that time to get your blood flowing with stretching or yoga. This helps warm your body and digestive system and sets a tone for the rest of the day. Try quick and free tutorials on YouTube, such as Yoga By Candace or Yoga With Adriene.
The Department of Health and Human Services recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity per week. This can still be achieved while social distancing! There are plenty of free, in-home fitness workouts on YouTube or apps for smartphones, such as “FitOn” and “Daily Workout Fitness Trainer.”
Stick to your regular meal and snack times
Try to maintain a normal eating schedule as best as you can. It may help to plan meals in advance and keep healthy snacks on hand. Some healthy snack ideas:
Sliced veggies (bell peppers, cucumbers, carrots) with hummus or guacamole
Homemade trail mix (raw mixed nuts, dark chocolate chips, unsweetened dried fruit)
Apple, banana, or celery with natural peanut or almond butter
Cheese and flax crackers
Lara bar or Rx bar
Stay in contact with friends and loved ones
Whether texting, calling, or FaceTime, stay connected to your friends and family regularly. Contact with loved ones can help keep our spirits up and make us feel less isolated.
Get fresh air every day
Aim for at least 10 minutes per day in nature, whether it’s a brisk walk after work or short walks during the day to help recharge (just make sure you are maintaining at least 6 foot distance from others). Studies show that spending time outside can significantly reduce our stress markers, which can help enhance both physical and mental well-being.
Eat your veggies
Vegetables are important sources of many key nutrients, and (among a variety of health benefits) can help fight inflammation and support our immune systems. Frozen veggies are not only more convenient at this time, but can be just as nutritious (if not more) as fresh- because freezing locks in nutrients.
