12 Activities To Keep You Healthy During Quarantine
As financial advisors, one of our main goals is to help clients alleviate the stress in their lives. The primary way we do this is by addressing financial stress. We do this by providing guidance and a set financial plan for our clients to follow. We realize, however, that financial wellness is only one piece of everyone’s overall health and wellness. 2020, thus far, has been a year that has challenged and changed the ways in which we maintain our mental and physical health. We wanted to provide some ideas for ways to stay healthy during a quarantine, and for our SoCal friends, some specific places and businesses that might help you along your journey.
Check out the list and let us know what you think!
Walk Everywhere
One of the easiest ways to stay physically active is to walk. Not only does walking provide some light exercise, it also allows you to get some fresh air and venture outside your home’s four walls. Sometimes, it’s best to walk without a destination. You can walk around your block, walk for a certain period of time, or walk a certain distance. Another fun way to introduce walking into your schedule is to combine walking with your errands. For example, if you need to go to the post office, before you leave via car, check if it is within walking distance. If it is and if the weather is nice, why not walk there?
One common errand that Tori and I have combined with walking is the trip to our local Trader Joe’s grocery store. We happen to live near the original Trader Joe’s that was opened by Joe Coulombe back in 1967. The store still has a quaint feel to it and walking there helps avoid the biggest downside with this TJ’s location: the parking lot (It’s extremely small!).
https://www.traderjoes.com/our-story
Cook for yourself
A great activity to keep your mind and body working while in the safety of your own home is cooking. In a world that had become increasingly on the go and active, many had started to shy away from cooking for themselves. However, now that we are all in our homes much more, cooking for yourself is more practical than ever. While technology has made meal delivery a tempting alternative, cooking for yourself typically remains the most cost efficient, most rewarding, and most delicious option.
If you are like me, then you are not an expert chef. Thankfully, there are services that will help you with ideas, ingredients, and instructions. One awesome company that can help is Sun Basket. Tori and I have both used this since the start of quarantine. Essentially, you choose from a large variety of dinner options, then fresh ingredients and instructions are shipped to your doorstep every week. My favorite things about Sun Basket are the food quality and the level of variety.
Golf
This might be my personal favorite quarantine activity. First of all, golf provides a great opportunity to get outdoors and explore new areas. It also can be a great way to get together with family or friends while maintaining a safe distance. The best part about golf is the never-ending challenge. It is a tough sport that takes time and patience. It can be truly humbling, but trust me, once you start to get it, you won’t be able to stay away.
If you are just starting out, buying clubs can be an intimidating barrier to entry. Earlier this year, Tori, who is new to golf, found a great set of starter clubs at Play it Again sports for a great price. If you are new, I would recommend starting with a used set from a place like this. Once you become an expert, you can always upgrade to a new set of clubs.
https://www.playitagainsports.com/home
A great course to get started at in the area is the Arroyo Seco Golf Course. This course, which is tucked away in the Arroyo Seco area of Pasadena, has everything you need to get your golf game up and running. They have a golf range to practice your strokes, an 18-hole Par 3 course to work on your game, and even a Mini-Golf course for you to bring the family along while still practicing your putting.
Let us know when you’re going! Tori and I would love to join you at this course.
Self-Care
Meditation
Another particularly important way to stay healthy while at home is to focus on self-care. Your mental health is extremely important and can have a direct impact on your physical health. Self-care can look different for everyone. Some common techniques to try include: meditation, talking to a therapist, or working with a life coach.
When it comes to meditation, Headspace is a great place to start. This service includes guided exercises, videos, and more to help you along your mediation journey. One of the best parts about Headspace is that all of their techniques are guided by clinically validated research.
Hire A Life Coach
If you are looking for self-improvement or want to create the life you always wanted, you might want to work with a life coach. One of the best life coaches in the area is Holly Pendergast at coachwithholly.com.
It is possible that you can create any result you want for yourself. But Holly wants you to believe that FOR YOURSELF!
Imagine feeling comfortable in your skin, crushing your goals, and living the life you know you’re destined for. It would look exactly like you, glowing in the essence of who you truly are.
Below is Holly's contact information if you want to learn more! Holly is also a talented photographer, yoga instructor, and Tori's long time friend!
Therapy
If you are facing challenges, and need the help of a licensed counselor, BetterHelp can connect you virtually with a professional. They can help you with a range of issues including depression, anxiety, relationships, trauma, grief, and more. With their counselors, you get the same professionalism and quality you would expect from an in-office counselor, but with the ability to communicate when and how you want.
Bike
Biking is another fun way to stay physically active without getting too close to anyone else. One of my favorite things about biking is how it allows you to see your city in a whole new way. Whether you are biking solo or with a small group, it’s fun and can be a fantastic source of exercise. Living in the Los Angeles Area, one of the toughest things can be riding alongside traffic. Luckily, there are a few great places to ride away from the city streets.
The first place that Tori and I like to ride is at Griffith Park. There are tons of different rides to do here. We typically go from the LA Zoo to the Observatory and back. It’s a pretty challenging climb but has some breathtaking views to look forward to.
https://www.discoverlosangeles.com/things-to-do/the-guide-to-biking-in-griffith-park
Another great bike route is the San Gabriel Valley River Trail. This trail goes all the way from Duarte to Long Beach and is relatively flat. If you have the whole day, you might be able to make it to the coast and back. If not, that’s okay. You will still enjoy a long, flat, uninterrupted ride.
https://trails.lacounty.gov/Trail/265/san-gabriel-river-trail
Get Ergonomic
Let’s face it. For the time being, most of our days are spent looking at a screen. This can lead to a sore neck, strained eyes, and eventually more serious health problems. Ergonomics is the science of improving workplace health and efficiency. Adding things like an ergonomic office chair, lifted monitors, and different types of computer mouses are all examples of getting ergonomic.
How do we level up our home office set up to maximize our work space for our bodies? Don’t take our word for it; listen to “The Ergonomics Guy” (and physical therapist) on YouTube, Steve Meagher.
Visit his YouTube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCijQcb7nck8-T2XvCfAmcNw
3 basic tips to begin your ergonomics journey:
Invest in an external mouse and an external keyboard
Prop up your screen to eye level
Get up frequently:
Some ideas:
Walk to the mailbox
Pour yourself another glass of water
Take out the trash
Take that zoom meeting standing up!
But where do you start with equipment?
Do a quick google search to find a place near you to buy your Ergonomic furniture. There is a wide variety of options depending on what your criteria is and you can get your furniture delivered! The one downside is you might have to put the furniture together yourself.
Your future body and mind will thank you for the time and money spent on getting ergonomic!
Take advantage of your local parks
When is the last time you went to your local park? One great way to get out of the house is by walking over to the closest park. At the park, you can take in nature, people watch, play games, and even have a picnic. If your job allows, you can even bring your computer, and work at the park.
One great local park Tori and I like to picnic at is Lacy Park in San Marino. This is an enclosed park with lots of fields, walking paths, gardens, and benches. The park also always feels clean and safe.
Yoga
Yoga is one of the best ways to stay well for your mind, body, and spirit.
Before the stay at home orders in March, Tori taught heated vinyasa flow for Corepower Yoga at the La Canada and Pasadena studios. Since March, Tori has been teaching online for her friends, family, coworkers, and even clients.
Yoga incorporates breath, meditation, and poses designed to support your mind/body connection. Yoga has been shown to decrease levels of cortisol (the primary stress hormone), decrease levels of anxiety, and decrease blood pressure. Yoga has also been shown to improve sleep quality, flexibility, and overall balance.
You can find out more about upcoming classes here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/yogawithtori
And you can book a class here: https://viasession.com/yogawithtori
Hiking
Here in Southern California, we are blessed with numerous hiking trails. They can range from short leisurely hikes to long and strenuous mountain hikes. Many of the hikes in the area either lead to a water feature or a breathtaking view of Los Angeles County.
One of our favorite hikes is Bailey Canyon, in Sierra Madre. This hike is narrow and steep, but the hard work is worth it when you see the amazing views near the top.
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/bailey-canyon-trail-to-jones-peak
Another great hike is at the Arroyo Pescadero Trailhead in Whittier. Trail access is on the west side of Colima Road across from Murphy Ranch Little League fields. There are three trail options from this trailhead for short hikes ranging from 1-2 miles. These are nice leisurely hikes if the main reason for your hike is to catch up with your hiking buddy without huffing and puffing up a steep hill!
Workout Apps
With most gyms still closed for the foreseeable future, working out at home can be challenging. The gym previously provided many different machines and workout options to choose from. At home, it’s tough to continue coming up with effective but new workouts using the limited space and equipment available. It can also be tough to stay motivated when no one is holding you accountable. Fortunately, technology has come through for us again with workout apps. There are countless apps that can help you with both ideas and motivation.
One example is the Peloton app. While Peloton is known mostly for their stationary bikes, they also provide countless workout videos spanning across all different types of workouts. This is your best replacement for workout classes.
https://www.onepeloton.com/app
Like the Peloton app, if you are looking for an extensive workout app that gives you variety, Nike Training Club (NTC) is also the app for you. NTC offers expert guidance through all your at-home fitness routines. One of the great things about it is that there are routines that can fit any type of schedule. Whether you only have 15 minutes or 45 minutes, there is something there for you. Another great thing is that you can create a plan catered to yourself. Plans vary depending on how frequently you want to work out, whether you want to include running, and more.
Tennis
One of our other favorite sports is tennis. Tennis is a challenging, fun, and naturally socially distant activity that can help you stay active during quarantine. Our recommendation is to find someone at approximately the same experience level as you, grab a racket, and head to the tennis court! Start by practicing your forehand, then backhand, and then your serve. You’ll be ready for a complete tennis match in no time.
Many public parks have tennis courts that you can use on a first come, first serve basis. Tori and I like to play at Grant Park in Pasadena. The courts are in great condition and have lights!
https://www.cityofpasadena.net/parks-and-rec/parks/grant-park/
Other cities, like Whittier, have facilities where you can reserve the court for an hour. Whittier Recreation Center is an example of this. We would recommend a place where you can reserve the court if you plan on playing during the busiest hours (i.e. weekend mornings).
https://www.whittierprcs.org/recreation/tennis
Stay Connected
As human beings, we need social interaction. This can be complicated during times of social distancing. Our last tip to help you stay healthy is to stay connected. Even though miles may separate you from your friends and family, take advantage of technology like Zoom to stay in contact. This is a great alternative to a phone call, and can also be really fun in groups. If you haven’t seen your friends and family in a while, set up a Zoom party!
Virtual Games
Some of the most fun games to play during Zoom are Pictionary and Charades. Use the “GameGal Word Generator” to help you come up with random words. If you’re playing Charades, just act out the word until your team guesses correctly. If you’re playing Pictionary, use Zoom’s white board to draw.
https://www.thegamegal.com/word-generator/
Virtual Wine Tasting
One of the highlights of quarantine for Tori and me has been virtual wine tastings hosted by Los Angeles based certified sommelier (and dear client!), Brianne Cohen.
Since March, Brianne has been hosting “Virtual Vino” where she virtually leads guests through seeing, smelling, and tasting wine. She makes wine tasting super fun, easy to understand, and accessible to the average Joe so that you can join from the safety of your own home! Brianne was even able to host our teacher clients for a Virtual Vino for Teacher Appreciation Month back in May! Our teachers had SO much fun!
Brianne currently does corporate tastings for employers who still want to connect with their employees, client events, bridal showers, private tastings, public food & wine pairing tastings, and much more.
You can find out more about Brianne, sign up for her newsletter, and read her wine blog here: https://briannecohen.com/
Conclusion
And on that note, CHEERS! That wraps up our "12 Activities To Keep You Healthy During Quarantine"!
We hope you discovered some creative ways to spend your time during this unique season.
Please let us know what you think about our list and feel free to drop us any other activities that have been keeping you healthy during this time.
Also, check out the “Our Blog” section on our website for more blogs like this one: https://toriandalex.ceterainvestors.com/blog
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Stay well,
Alex