The cabin fever, associated with the being confined due to onset of COVID-19, can have a pronounced effect on our health and on our mood. On Tuesday I was at wit’s end; beyond stir crazy and tired of seeing the walls of my house. So, I laced up my shoes and went for a run at the Clifton High School track and what I saw was incredibly encouraging. People of all ages were out walking, running, kicking soccer balls and practicing their volleyball skills. While observing social distancing, folks were talking to each other, smiling, laughing and enjoying the beautiful Central Texas weather. It was a great reminder that we are all members of a community and as such we have the means to come together safely and help each other through this difficult time.

I encourage you all to remain physically active as these changes come into our daily lives. It can be very easy to drop our regular exercise routines as we make transitions to working from home or staying at home to help our kids keep learning. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends that adults reach at least 150 minutes of physical activity a week. That may seem daunting, but it’s quite easy if you break it down to at least 30 minutes of activity each day. Even that can be broken down into at least 10 minutes increments. You don’t need to get all that time in one sitting! And physical activity includes anything that raises your heart rate and makes you breathe a little heavier. Gardening, walking, throwing a football around, or leisurely riding a bike are all forms of physical activity! Keep in mind that any physical activity is better than none. The key phrase here is “Move more, sit less.”

Something else to think about is “mindful eating.” Who has ever sat down to a movie with a full bag of popcorn and eaten the whole thing before the movie’s halfway point? When we are distracted by something else (a movie, work, a conversation) and munching on some snacks, we are more likely to eat more than we want. This overeating can, over time, lead to weight gain. Mindful eating means that we are cognizant of what we are eating, how much we are eating, and how fast we are eating. The body’s natural “I’m full” response takes roughly 20 minutes to click in the brain, so eating quickly means that the body can be “full” way before we stop eating. Aim for snacks and foods that are lower in sodium, saturated fat and added sugars. For snacks that will keep you feeling fuller longer, go for foods with good sources of fiber (likes apples or celery) and protein (like hard cooked eggs).

We as a community are in this transition together. I encourage everyone to stay calm, cool and collected. Reach out to your neighbors, friends, family and local institutions to see how we can help each other. A little kindness can go a long way! Please continue to follow local, state and federal guidelines for health – observe social distancing, wash your hands thoroughly and often and monitor your health.

For more information on physical activity or healthy eating habits please contact County Extension Agent Chris Coon at 254-435-2331 or at chris.coon@ag.tamu.edu .