alive Editorial
With COVID-19 response measures increasing, including the need for self-quarantine, tensions are also rising. At first thought, getting to lounge around the house in your PJs for two weeks may sound like a welcome retreat. Hopefully, you've already made preparations to ensure you have what you need before having to shut yourself in—and to make sure you don’t get too bored or anxious at home. Here’s a list of tips, supplements, and recipes to help you get through a quarantine.
What exactly is a quarantine?
The World Health Organization (WHO) suggests anyone who has recently travelled, feels sick, or has come into contact with someone infected with COVID-19 should voluntarily self-quarantine. This may mean that you stay at home, don’t interact with anyone outside your home (especially the elderly), and have your food delivered to your house. Be sure, though, to check with your local government or health authorities to find out what specific measures are in place in your community.
Even if none of these reasons for self-quarantine apply, it’s still suggested that you practise “social distancing.” This means staying more than 2 metres (about 6 feet) from others if you go outdoors. But Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has asked us all to "go home and stay home" and to go outside only for essential reasons. You should definitely stay tuned to your local government and/or health authorities to stay up to date on changing conditions and measures.
On the bright side, now you can feel guilt-free about slipping into your pajamas, kicking back on the couch, and turning on your fave TV show!
Start your food prep
Hopefully, you've already stocked up your pantry, so you can be prepared. Items like canned beans or chickpeas, root vegetables, spices, and more for throwing together a hearty dish are all great pantry staples. For fruits and veggies, frozen, canned, or dehydrated forms that’ll keep for a long time are great options. Here are a few delicious recipes that focus primarily on using pantry staples, with items that can be easily swapped for frozen or canned ingredients.
Spicy Chickpea, Chard, and Roasted Cauliflower Soup
Creamy Butternut Pasta with Cashew Crumble Topping
Delicious Mini Zesty Date Cakes
Keep your immune system happy
Your immune health is always important—COVID-19 or not. Make sure you’re incorporating healthy supplements into your day and stocking up, especially with immune health superstars including
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin D
- Ginger
- Echinacea
- Quercetin
- Oil of oregano
Chill out!
Look, there’s no denying it: this is a strange and worrying time. With so much uncertainty and news cycles putting out alarming and ever-changing headlines, there’s absolutely no shame in admitting that you may be feeling a bit of stress. While hanging out at home, try to keep up with personal techniques that help you feel a little more Zen, whether that’s meditation, yoga, baking, or watching a movie marathon. Adapting to stress is important so that our bodies won’t feel overwhelmed by the negative effects, so be sure to show yourself some love.
And, finally, an obvious but necessary tip: don’t panic! Stay positive, stay healthy, and stay safe.
Nancy Hillis
Michelle von Hahn
Alexa Everett
Laura Bolt