This is definitely not a "sweet" topic, but nonetheless important, if not crucial during this current challenge being faced by the world. How do we stay healthy, albeit at home, during a pandemic?
News and social media are flooded with scary statistics, political and business related stories about how the pandemic is affecting the world. But concerns of a day-to-day basis, with a growing number of states issuing lockdown orders banning all non-essential travel and people self-quarantining at home, are how to stay healthy (and happy) during such uncertain times - particularly families with children at home needing to continue life and learning as usual, or unusual.. Thankfully communications technology allows us to stay in touch with classrooms and loved-ones, and many people are able to work remotely from home. Nevertheless it can definitely be challenging to live and maintain healthy habits under lockdown circumstances. There are beneficial ways of dealing with the current situation and not so beneficial ways of dealing...
According to a recent interview at CNN.com, many of us are eating (you obviously don't need a CNN account to tell you about your own habits if you in the grazer category). As stated in the interview (and common sense) it can be challenging to be at home for most, if not all, day and be outside of one's normal routines. While gyms have closed and people have become very innovative with working out at home and/or taking up running or power walking outside, it nonetheless can become very easy to get into the habit of snacking or stress eating - or screen watching - with not a lot else to do. Here is a great article from the American Society for Nutrition with some common sense ideas and helpful ways to maintain healthy eating and physical activities during this time.
In addition to focusing on good nutrition and ways to keep active and engaging your mind here are some project ideas to do with your kids:
Upcycle your recyclables into containers to start seedlings in your home. This is a great way to talk about gardening, plant life-cycle, reusing containers and helping the environment - upcycling, with your child. Plant herbs that will be used for later cooking projects with your child, or seed vegetables and flowers to plant outdoors when the weather gets warmer. It is a great way to get dirty and bring nature indoors while understanding the importance of sunlight for plant growth - as well as for yourself: sunlight is key in the creation of vitamin D in humans, a mood enhancing vitamin, which also boosts our immune system.
Some fast growing seeds with high impact are peas, beans, wheatgrass, and sunflowers.
Some fast growing seeds with high impact are peas, beans, wheatgrass, and sunflowers.
Create a Gratitude Board
-A take on a Vision Board - a visual tool for planning one's goals/dreams. Use a poster board or bulletin board to glue/pin images of things you and your child are grateful for. Write lists, draw things, cut or print out pictures from magazines or online, print out pictures of family members, pets, favorite places and activities.. Place it in a prominent location and add to it daily. Make it a conversation piece. Ask your child questions about what s/he loves and feels grateful for.. Practicing gratitude is a proven way to combat stress, redirect negative thinking, and connect people with each other.
Conversate
Engage in conversation. There is definitely an art to asking open-ended questions.
Encourage your child to talk about what is happening right now. Here is a great resource from National Geographic for parents to help you to talk to your kids about Coronavirus and staying healthy together, additionally this article. Talking about the virus will help to assuage fears about the pandemic, and encouraging your child to talk about her/his feelings will aid in reducing anxiety, which is definitely common during times of crises.
These are challenging times for us all. Focusing on various ways to connect with our kids and loved ones is a wonderful way to stay mentally healthy during this period in time. Now is the time for innovation and testing the boundaries of our own resourcefulness. Lastly, I leave you with information provided by Dr. David Price of Weill Cornell Medical Center, New York City, who works in the ICU seeing incoming patients infected with the COVID-19 virus. He offers some great advice based on his own experiences on how to protect yourself and your family.
Stay safe and healthy ~ Eat well and be well!
