In times of crisis HANG ON TO HEALTHY HABITS!

Wow these are uncertain times! Who would have thought so much could change in a week's time? It seems schools are closed in many of our communities, grocery stores are mobbed and or out of items, church has been cancelled, and in most of the country we have been asked to keep a distance from one another and not meet in groups. 

All of these changes along with the uncertainty of what is to come and how long it may last can really be stressful.

I'm not sure if you noticed that in the frenzied frightened grocery gathering and hoarding they were out of many things: toilet paper, Clorox wipes, spaghetti sauce, cold cereal, crackers, chips, cookies etc. but in most cases the fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables remained on the shelves. And why is that? 

Stress most often causes us to retreat to comfort activities and food: staying up late and sleeping in, watching lots television and playing video games. Eating chips, cookies, ice cream, Kraft macaroni and cheese, and Ramen. Etc. Etc. Etc.

Ladies-- not only CAN you maintain healthy habits during life's regular times of stress (birth of a baby, unemployment, weddings, moving, holidays etc. etc.) but it is MOST important to maintain healthy habits during these times. You can become a woman that hunkers down with her healthy choices MORE diligently when times get tough. 

It is so much easier to work on healthy habits when your life is under control, your schedule is humming along as it should, you have your majors tasks and projects meeting the needed deadlines, your family is getting along, you are feeling energetic and focused. 

But I am asking you to use our present crisis as a time to learn that you can do hard things. That even during this time of Coronavirus you can still find ways to continue healthy habits which will help you to safeguard your mental and physical health and keep you strong to handle any challenges that might come. 

So our challenge for the week is to carry on:

1. Drink your water- good clean water all of it every day.

2. Write down what you eat. Although you might have to make compromises on menus you can still control your portions. And no you do not NEED cookies to get through this crisis. Lay off the sugar and record what you eat. 

3. Get physical exercise every day. While you may not be able to continue your normal exercise plan you can exercise. Florida weather is lovey and I went on a bike ride with my daughter last night. It was gorgeous out and we were the ONLY ones enjoying the evening. We took my grand daughter to a pond yesterday afternoon to feed the ducks and only saw 3 people (from a distance). At least in our area outside exercise is totally safe. And if you must exercise inside dance with your family, run around your yard, do a work out video with those you love. Get your body moving for an hour every day.

4. Get in your fruits and vegetables every day. I know our access to grocery stores may become limited but I am still hopeful you can find 3 servings of vegetables and 2 servings a day of fruit. 

5. Get good sleep. You know the steps to help this happen. Take them and sleep deeply. Sleep is one of your best tools in fending off disease. 

It's your choice- like I said you can stay up late, sleep in, lay around all day and eat junk food and there is some comfort in that but honestly the end result of that kind of self neglect is just feeling lousy. Or you can come out of this present crisis saying "I am so proud of myself. I maintained my healthy habits, avoided disease and I am healthier overall after these weeks of hardship. I made the best choices I could every single day."

Good luck ladies. This week's challenge points come to those that make an honest effort each day to make as many healthy choices as possible.