Posted by Caroline Lachapelle on March 20, 2020
Caroline Lachapelle

As Canadians have been urged to stay home as much as possible to help fight the spread of COVID-19, the Dialogue team has compiled some ideas and resources to keep you healthy, active and calm.

 

relaxation

1) Relaxation and meditation

    • Try to disconnect from your phone and the news for at least an hour a day.
  • Headspace (a relaxation app) has unlocked a free selection of meditation and mindfulness content to tackle stress.


2) Staying physically active

staying active
  • Many gyms and trainers have created at-home workouts requiring little to no equipment. Check your local gym’s social media pages for virtual workouts or Fitness Blender for a variety of free programs and exercises.
  • Start a little friendly competition through a virtual step challenge with colleagues, friends or family using a fitness tracker (we’ve started our own at Dialogue!).


3) Eating healthy

  • When trying to limit trips to the grocery store, consider buying a combination of:
    eating healthy- Protein foods (canned fish, lentils, beans, eggs, cheese, milk, etc.)
    - Whole grains (quinoa, rice, whole-wheat pasta, rolled oats, etc.)
    - Vegetables (canned or frozen, leafy greens, long-lasting root vegetables like carrots and potatoes)
    - Fruits (canned, frozen or dried, longer-lasting fruits like oranges or apples)
    - Healthy fats (nuts, seeds, nut butters, or avocado)
    - For more ideas, consult this article.
  • Make a list prior to going to the grocery store to minimize time spent roaming the aisles.


4) Working from home habits

working from home
  • If working from home is new to you, try defining when your day is done and taking regular breaks to maintain a schedule.
  • Use video conferencing to connect with your colleagues, and schedule lunch, coffee or snack breaks with team members or friends when possible.


5) Caring for children

  • With schools closed across the country and child care potentially
children learninglimited for you, it may be a struggle to maintain a structure and schedule. Try creating a daily calendar that can include time for learning, reading, playing, and walking in your yard for example

 

Topics: Health and Wellness

About the author

Caroline is a nurse clinician with over 5 years of experience in Gynaecology, Paediatrics, Surgery, Home Care and Routine and Ongoing care. She even completed humanitarian work in Haïti during her internship. She is passionate about nutrition, sports, fitness and well-being.