We’re living in unprecedented times. At the beginning of 2020, the majority of us had big plans and expectations of the year ahead. We set goals, booked getaways, ordered tickets for concerts, plays and more. By the middle of March, all of this had changed. The rapid spread of coronavirus and consequent outbreak of Covid-19 has changed our lives significantly for the foreseeable future. We’re being encouraged to stay home. We’re being encouraged to distance ourselves from others and only head out to complete absolutely necessary tasks, such as shopping for food and picking up any medication that we may need.
Nobody knows how long these changes will be implemented and when constraints will eventually be lifted. So, it’s generally best that we abide by them for the time being and dedicate ourselves to protecting ourselves, our loved ones, strangers and the population in general by following government guidelines. Of course, this can be a struggle for many of us. Our routines have been thrown aside and we’re having to get used to this new way of life pretty suddenly. The good news is that there are a number of things you can do to make staying home and out of public a lot easier. Here are a few ideas that you might want to try out.
Let’s start out by tackling an essential subject – food. We all need food to get by. This is why we’re being permitted to head out to buy essential food. But the majority of us want to swerve the supermarket. For one, this is the place where you are currently most likely to catch coronavirus on a day to day basis. Sure, measures are often being put in place to reduce risk. Screens are being fitted in front of check out desks. Limited numbers of people are being allowed to enter the store at any one time. We’re being encouraged to pay contactless by card rather than with cash. The list goes on. But still, it can prove to be a stressful experience that you’d rather avoid.
Now, one option is to order your food online. Delivery slots are limited and you may find yourself having to check the websites regularly for days to be able to secure one. But it is an option. Another option is to plan your meals before going to the supermarket. If you plan two weeks of meals and decide to buy canned and frozen ingredients instead of fresh, you can easily avoid having to return to the supermarket for a while. Just make sure to write a list. This will prevent you from forgetting bits and pieces and having to head back.
If you have prescription medication, you’re still going to need it. But you don’t necessarily have to head to your doctor to be prescribed what you need. Appointments are being limited to reduce human contact. Instead, call up and if you have a routine medicine, your doctor may be able to put it on repeat prescription. They may also be able to send it digitally to a pharmacy of your choosing, meaning you just have to visit the pharmacy to pick your prescription up. Some pharmacies may even be able to deliver your prescription to you, meaning you won’t have to leave the house at all! You could also ask for recommendations for an online pharmacy of repute that can deliver your medicine to you.
We’re being permitted sixty minutes of outside exercise a day. You could go for a walk, jog or run, as long as you keep two meters’ distance from others who may be out at the same time. It’s a good idea to get out of your home and take a breath of fresh air by doing this. But if you’d rather stay in, there are plenty of workouts you can do from the comfort of your own home too. You may need to invest in a little equipment, but generally, this can be kept relatively low cost. You might want to order a yoga mat to make floor exercises more comfortable (or for yoga in particular), some handheld weights, maybe a kettlebell. Resistance bands are useful too. Follow online tutorials – there are plenty of free options out there that will guide you through workouts.
These steps are pretty simple, so try to incorporate them into your routine. They’ll make the task of staying home that bit easier!
*Collaborative post