Healthy Routines Amidst the Coronavirus

While you watch what you eat, don't be afraid to have that cookie.

DULUTH, Minn. – It’s about maintaining a healthy routine and schedule during this time when normal routines are not always possible to help regulate weight and nutrition.

Experts say getting too comfortable at home and not being able to go outside may result in inactivity.

“When you are kind of trapped in your home or you’re not able to go out and about like you normally are with the time of the year, that it is with they’re starting to warm up, and people are kind of confined to their homes, finding ways to be more active and stuff is going to be key,” said Cooper Dosan, Manager of Complete Nutrition in Duluth.

Specialists say it’s essential to eat on a consistent schedule along with eating fruits and vegetables. It may be tempting to eat dinner on the couch every night because you can, but experts say it’s important to sit down at the table to maintain a sense of normalcy.

“Certainly it’s been a huge change in routine for a lot of people, which means the times that we’re eating are changing, the foods that we’re eating are changing, and certainly people are feeling a lot of stress, probably having some decreased activity or some change in activity levels, which can present some challenge for a variety of changes, not just weight gain, but just overall health and well-being,” said Mary Cherne, a clinical dietitian at St. Luke’s.

Experts also say to utilize your support systems, whether it be your healthcare providers, friends or family. Also, while you watch what you eat, don’t be afraid to have that cookie. It’s a stressful time, so give yourself a break now and then.