Well, this is a strange time we find ourselves in. Just last week I was finalizing my club’s fitness schedule for April, and pre-planning some wellness programs for the spring and summer. Then, over the course of a couple of days, life changed. Social distancing became a reality. We are in a new normal.
Here are some things my family is doing to keep our sanity AND stay fit and healthy while we are practicing self isolation and social distancing. Maybe some of these will help you if you feel stuck at home during your own version of quarantine.
Setting a Routine
I had one very long day at work on Monday, where I taught my last classes for the near future, trained a couple of clients, then tried to finish off every loose end of admin work I had left to do, before the next day arrived. That next morning, my gym would be closed, schools would be closed, and we moved into this new realm of trying to live as normally as possible, albeit in a small, isolated way. One of the things I made sure to do on that last day of work was put together a routine for my kids. This wasn’t just for their benefit (much as they may complain, kids thrive on routines), but also for the sanity of the adults in the house. Without a black and white game plan of what this unknown situation would look like, I anticipated my boys flopping on the couch watching Disney movie marathons, snacking 24/7.
The schedule I put together was very simple – Breakfast and chores, outside time or playing indoors if the weather was bad, lunch, afternoon schoolwork (and a nap for my littlest) and snack time, then free time until dinner, so they can still text with their friends and use their electronics.
Now, bear in mind we’re still in the first week of being stuck at home, but so far, so good. The routine may not have been popular upon unveiling, but it’s working out well.
Getting Outside Every Day
Outdoors time is KEY. We are lucky to live somewhere close to lots of green spaces, mountains, trails, and a river, so there are plenty of places we can get our energy out without coming into contact with others. My boys love the local playground with it’s sports field, swings, climbing structures and lots of room to run around, but when we went there the first day, we ran into so many friends and kids we knew that it felt like it was the opposite of the purpose of this distancing-on-purpose. Since then, we’ve stuck to walking the dog, or hiking, where we are less likely to see many people.
This is going to help you in so many ways – when you’re stuck at home, you become more sedentary as a result, so getting outside every day is a great way to combat that and make sure you’re getting your everyday movement in. You’re also getting fresh air and Vitamin D. You do get to see other people, and even if you’re only calling out greetings from across the road to each other, it makes you feel better to have that human connection. It has also been an opportunity for my kids to recognize that they’re not the only ones going through this experience – when they see the closed businesses and that life is definitely NOT going on as normal, it seems to make it a little easier for them to accept the sacrifices they are making.
Taking Turns for Solo Exercise
My partner Michael and I would go crazy if we were cooped up with the kids 24/7 and the only activity we got was family walks and hikes. He and I take turns to go cycling (him) and running (me) by ourselves. It keeps us both happy and fit. If you’re into group classes and you miss them, you can check out the many studios and trainers offering sessions via Zoom, where you can feel part of a group.
Want at-home workouts? Check out my past workout posts – I have lots of at-home ideas to choose from!
And stay tuned for some videos from me! I will be filming some workouts this weekend that you can do at home. 🙂
Giving Each Other Space
We all need space. Humans might be social creatures, but too much socializing with the same people in a small space (no matter how much you love them) is how cabin fever can set in. We don’t live in a big house, but the boys have play space upstairs as well as their rooms, and they can play in the yard as well. When we go out for our morning exercise, sometimes I’ll have my eldest walk the dog solo while the rest of us walk elsewhere to give him some time to himself. If we find a wide, open space, I let the boys go off and explore on their own. And my partner and I make sure we give each other chances to be home alone, or get outside alone. It makes everything seem a little more normal, when it is decidedly NOT normal.
Cooking for Wellness
We already cook our own meals nearly every day – eating out or take-out are a real luxury for us. But this isn’t the norm for everyone, and even for those of us who do cook a lot, it can be helpful to actually plan cooking for wellness, rather than comfort.
Take this time to look for healthier versions of comfort-food favorites, think about ways your can incorporate more veggies into your recipes, try smoothies to get lots of vitamins at once, and don’t forget to stay hydrated. Coffee, tea and alcohol become staples when you’re cooped up (I definitely made sure we had wine in the house), so make sure you’re getting plenty of water, too.
Since you have more time on your hands, this is a good time to try meal prepping, to make cooking a simpler, shorter task.
Some great sites to check out for healthy recipes include Eating Well, Pinch of Yum, and Food Network’s healthy recipe section.
Staying Social Creatures
Thank god for my girlfriends and I texting every day. We may not be able to meet up in person, but don’t underestimate the amazing technology we have these days. Texting, video chats, I have even heard of cocktail hours via Zoom! 🙂 Now that’s creativity. A friend and I even met up for a walk together, on opposite sides of the road so we can keep six feet apart, while still giving each other the lowdown on everything going on in our lives. It’s so important to keep those connections going – we all know what happened to Tom Hanks in Cast Away – so make sure you stay in touch and make socializing a priority.
We don’t know exactly when this will all end, but if we start planning for this to be the norm for present day, it will be easier to incorporate workouts and sanity-saving habits now, before we’re all tearing our hair out later.
What are you doing to make life seem normal?
How are you keeping healthy and making wellness a priority?
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