You’re staying home to do your part to help
slow the spread of COVID-19. It’s all in an effort to keep you, your family and
others heathy. But your routine has been interrupted and you’re facing stress
and uncertainty. Even though you are avoiding germs, our new way of life can
make it difficult to keep you and your family healthy.

Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital’s
Outpatient and Community Liaison Dietitian Allie Lang, RDN, LDN, explains,
“Stress eating becomes a daily activity and your exercise routine is completely
interrupted. Gyms and yoga studios are closed, and meal times are all over the
place. Working from home can lead to skipping meals with no set lunch time.
With all of the social distancing, stressful news stories and hand washing,
it’s easy to forego exercise and healthy eating.”

Luckily, Lang has some tips to help you stay
healthy while staying home.

Plan
basic, healthy meals

Having a plan for your meals can give you a
sense of control when everything else seems crazy. Make sure you stick to your
normal meal schedule and eat three meals a day. For each meal try to include a
fruit or a vegetable, a whole grain or starch and a lean protein. It can be
easy to go all day without drinking water when your schedule changes so
drastically. Keep a water bottle or glass of water nearby and sip regularly.

Grocery shopping

Pick one day a week to brave the supermarket.
Go prepared with a list based on breakfasts, lunches and dinners you’ll make
throughout the week. Don’t forget the veggies! Frozen vegetables can be just as
healthy as fresh vegetables and last much longer in the freezer. Canned beans
and vegetables are also nutritious and last long on your shelves. Just make
sure to rinse these to reduce the sodium. Stock up on fruits like apples,
oranges and bananas for snacks. You may not be able to buy your normal
preferred brand at the grocery store, but the shelves are stocked enough to get
your staples.

Find ways to stay active

At home you can end up sitting most of the
day and getting much less steps in than usual. To counteract this, try taking
some trips up and down the stairs or taking a walk outside. Find an exercise
video you enjoy on YouTube and commit to daily exercise. There are also
exercise videos available on most streaming platforms.

Mental health

Your mental health during this time is just
as important as your physical health. This unprecedented situation leaves many
of us with a feeling of helplessness that can be extremely distressing. Keep up
your social connections with regular phone calls and video chats. Take
advantage of more time at home by picking up a new hobby. Try a Zoom meeting
with a group of friends. Journaling, meditating and virtual therapy are all
ways to process your emotions and manage stress in constructive ways.

There are many aspects of this public health
crisis you can’t control. You are already doing your part by social distancing,
staying home and washing your hands. It is important to focus on what you can
control, like your health and wellbeing. By following these simple tips, you
and your family can get through these times in healthy and beneficial ways.

About Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital is a
171-bed non-profit, community teaching hospital located in southwest Boston.
Founded in 1900, they offer comprehensive medical, surgical and psychiatric
care as well as complete emergency, ambulatory and diagnostic services. For
more information, visit www.brighamandwomensfaulkner.org.