Parent Resources

Finding a New Normal

Life has been turned upside down with the COVID-19 outbreak. Home has always been where the heart is. Now it’s where we spend more and more time, working, learning, playing, eating and wondering when things will get back to normal.

With the answer unclear, your family may need to find a new normal. These tips can help with day-to-day life. Learn more on the Alberta Health Services website.

Being physically active

The benefits of physical activity which have always been known to us are still valid at this time. That said, we must all work on finding ways to take care of our daily requirements for physical activity mindfully.

Here are a few tips:

  1. Go outside. If you’re physically able to get outdoors and if you stay six feet away from other people on the street or in the park, by all means, do it. Walk. Run. Skip. Cross-country ski. Ride. Whatever. Breathe fresh air. Catch a few rays. Wave to the others from that respectful distance away.
  2. Work out inside your home. Try to get your heart rate up enough that you can talk but not sing. If you’re watching TV, stand up to watch. Pick up your cell and pace around while you’re chatting. If you live in an apartment building, walk or jog in the hallways provided you keep away from other hall-walkers. If you have no hallways, put on some music and dance. If nothing else, practice balancing on one foot while you wash the dishes.
  3. Keep going. Do yoga on the floor. Swing your arms. Do sit-ups. Use books or jugs of water as weights to pump iron. Bodyweight exercises are very beneficial. You do not need fancy equipment to stay fit. There are many online fitness options that folks may follow.
  4. Avoid staying glued to the computer, TV or gaming all day. It may be tempting to become sedentary, but get up at least once an hour and walk around.

Websites:

Healthy eating

Healthy eating is more than the foods you eat. It is also about where, when, why and how you eat:

Be mindful of your eating habits

  • Take time to eat
  • Notice when you are hungry and when you are full

Cook more often

  • Plan what you eat
  • Involve others in planning and preparing meals

Enjoy your food

  • Culture and food traditions can be part of healthy eating
  • Eat meals with others

Make it a habit to eat a variety of healthy foods each day:

  • Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables and fruit, whole grain foods and protein foods. 
  • Choose protein foods that come from plants more often. 
  • Choose foods with healthy fats instead of saturated fat
  • Limit highly processed foods. If you choose these foods, eat them less often and in small amounts. 
  • Prepare meals and snacks using ingredients that have little to no added sodium, sugars or saturated fat. 
  • Choose healthier menu options when eating out
  • Make water your drink of choice
  • Beware that food marketing can influence your choices

Nutrition resources: