Are you a snacker like me? As sheltering in place, stay at home orders, social distancing and Covid 19 pandemic concerns continue, so does our natural tendency to become less active. We are working harder and stressing more. Couple that with the convenience of your pantry and refrigerator just steps away and that can lead to the “Covid 19 Lbs.” – that extra few pounds that start to creep up and go unnoticed or just plain ignored!
What do we do about it? How do we avoid the “Covid-19 Lbs.”? A few simple steps might help:
- Make sure you move! Get up from your desk every hour and take a walk – around your house, your yard, your apartment or your building – just get up and move!
- Breath – take 90 seconds and just breath – listen to your breathing. Slow breath in and slow exhale out. There are literally hundreds of apps and videos that can show you how. Pick one! Start using the method that works best for you. Deliberate breathing helps reduce anxiety and stress and increase relaxation.
- Pay attention to what you are snacking on! If you’re a snacker, you’re a snacker! Be aware of what you are snacking on. Look for low fat, low sugar, vitamin packed, all-natural snacks. If you’re like most people, during times of high stress and anxiety, you snack more, not less – be good to yourself and your body, snack healthy!
- Engage with others! Be a good friend or family member – be a good member of your community. Pick up the phone and call someone you pre Covid 19 said to yourself, I need to call Bobby or uncle Joe ….maybe I can do some digital tutoring? Maybe I can join a community digital happy hour? Although it will look differently, engage with others – connect – everyone is in this boat together, start rowing!
Keep in mind this period of time is just a “minute in an hour”…. “a day in the week”…just a “moment in time”! Make the best of it, make new good habits that not only might help you keep off that “Covid 19 Lbs.” but will be good for your health moving forward.
Stay healthy, stay safe.
