Between health concerns, financial strain and social distancing, we are all under stress with the outbreak of the coronavirus. Although routine life has been turned on its head, adapting our behaviours to maintain a healthy lifestyle is key to staying resilient, physically and mentally. Eat well to support your immune system, practice self-care, and stay nourished, body and mind, in a time of stress.
5 ways to stay nourished in a time of stress:
1). Stay on schedule. If you’re working from home, keeping up with your workday eating schedule will help stop you from wandering into the kitchen every time you need to stretch your legs. Take your usual lunch and coffee breaks instead of snacking all day long. Make your breaks count by taking time to enjoy your food and get some air or a change of scenery. Resist the urge to eat all your meals at your desk—you’ll feel much better at the end of the day.
2). Reinvent comfort food. For most people the idea of comfort food evokes thoughts of pastries, chips, ice cream, or a forbidden food of some kind. And while no food is forbidden, these foods are usually only comforting in the moment and sometimes leave you feeling worse afterward. True comfort food makes you feel good in the moment AND after the moment. Feel your best by savouring foods that are as good tasting as they are good for you.
3). Get cooking! If you’re unable to go to work, take advantage of the extra time at home to try out healthy new recipes or cook up some old favourites. Turn up the music and have fun getting creative in the kitchen. You’ll develop your cooking skills, enjoy yourself doing it, and have a healthy and delicious result. Don’t forget to make a double batch and freeze the extra!
4). Load up on fruits and veggies: Fruits and vegetables contain a lot of the minerals, vitamins and fibre we need to keep us physically and mentally healthy. Aim for variety of produce to get a wide range of those nutrients. Is the fresh produce picked over at your local grocery store? Head to the freezer
aisle – frozen fruits and veggies have all the same nutrients as fresh!
5). Exercise, yoga or meditation. Moving helps reduce stress while promoting well-being. It can be as simple as dancing in your living room or following an exercise or yoga video online. Try meditation to calm you mind – not sure how? There’s an app for that!
In these stressful times there are many things beyond our control, but we can stay proactive about our health by embracing a healthy lifestyle. Eating well is the foundation for wellbeing, and choosing nourishing foods helps us stay healthy and resilient, body and mind.
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