Minimize Grocery Store Trips
Plan ahead for meals for the next seven days, as well as any other home/car/children/pet supplies you might need. Aim for stepping out once a week if at all possible.
Purchase Nutrition-Packed Foods That Keep
Focus on nutrient-dense foods that can stay fresh for a week or longer. Examples of this are whole grains such as oatmeal, brown rice, whole grain pasta, quinoa, etc. Fruits with longer shelf lives are apples, citrus, watermelon, kiwi, pineapple, melons, under-ripe bananas, under-ripe avocados, and frozen fruit. Good vegetables to purchase would be, celery, broccoli, potatoes, carrots, squash, garlic, onions, Brussel sprouts, peas, corn, green beans, and frozen vegetables. Other foods include, frozen meat, cartons of broth, nut milk, canned or dry beans, nuts, and eggs.
Avoid Frozen Dinners and Snack Foods
These are high in sodium, harmful fats, and processed/artificial ingredients.
Try Grocery Delivery
Having your groceries delivered to your door or even available for you to simply pick up at the store front will help maintain social distance while also saving you time.
Reconnect with Family
Increased time with family members during quarantine can be a stressful adjustment. Reconnect during meal times by involving the family with cooking new recipes. Encourage telling stories or sharing goals around the table. Focus on keeping the conversation light and upbeat.
Maintain a Positive Mindset
Keeping a healthy mindset is critical to getting through this pandemic. Practice stress management techniques such as walking the dog, taking a relaxing bath, calling a friend, or spending time with your children. Stick to a routine as much as possible. Keep a healthy sleep schedule and eat meals at regular times. If you are schooling children at home, segment the day into chunks, focusing on one subject at a time and transitioning to a new activity every 45 minutes to keep kids engaged.
Stay Physically and Mentally Fit
Establish ways to exercise without leaving the house. Examples include, following an instruction video for yoga, pilates, weight lifting, kick-boxing, etc in the living room. Maintain your home’s landscape bushes and trees, or play a ball sport in the backyard with your kids. Keeping mentally fit is just as important as physical exercise. Take time to enjoy your hobbies: cook, read, write/journal, create DIY projects, or organize photo albums into a scrapbook.
Everyone is going through this together. Remember to be neighborly, donating food or supplies to those who aren’t able to leave the house. Make the most of this extra time away from distraction and let’s come out of this stronger and wiser!