Getting Through COVID-19: How to Prepare and Take Care

To prevent the spread of COVID-19 and protect your community, you may be wondering how you can prepare for this time of staying at home. What supplies do you need? And how can you take care of your well-being? Here are a few helpful tips to consider.

Start by Thinking 30 Days Ahead

You’ll need a month’s supply of prescriptions and any over-the-counter medication. That includes allergy medicine, acetaminophen, and cold and flu relief. Make sure you have a first-aid kit with gauze, tape, ointment for burns, and plastic gloves, just in case.

Take Steps to Stress Less

Healthy ways to relieve stress are important to think about. It can be in the form of reading material, videos, activities, or games. Exercise is a great stress reliever; try out yoga or one of our at-home fitness circuits.

Shop Smart, Then Store Smart

Think about getting products with a long shelf-life, such as cheese that gets better with age or juices that only require refrigeration after opening. Root vegetables, like carrots, sweet potatoes, beets, and turnips, can last for months if stored correctly. Now’s the time to also utilize your freezer. You can store meat, fish, casseroles, frozen fruits and veggies, and more. And don’t forget the ice cream!

Establish a Daily Routine

A routine can give you a sense of purpose, and purpose can give you a sense of control. There’s something else that comes with a daily routine, and that’s a set of goals. Set daily and weekly goals for a fun challenge.

Avoid Binging

That goes for food and TV. Binging may seem like a source of comfort, but it can quickly become a negative escape. Try everything in moderation. Watching a funny movie with the family is a nice way to end the day and is a great release.

Dress to Feel Your Best

Feeling “put together” has a direct relationship to feeling more in control. No, you aren’t going to dress the way you would for the office, but do consider dressing the way you would if you were going out with friends.

It’s important to remember that in all of this, there’s a positive. This crisis could teach us to be more resourceful, more innovative, and more compassionate — especially when it comes to how we support and care for each other.

We encourage you to bookmark our COVID-19 Information Hub and check back regularly for additional resources to keep you safe and healthy at home.

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/19/nyregion/coronavirus-lockdown-nyc.html