COVID-19 - March 15, 2020

Tips for Staying Safe, Healthy, Active & Engaged

by Kathie Miller

In recent weeks, we have all experienced dramatic changes to daily life, the result of our collective efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19. We find ourselves focused on proper hand hygiene and all the steps we might take to clean, disinfect and keep ourselves and our loved ones from contracting or spreading the virus. We’re also all spending more time at home… MUCH more time at home!

Those who are still working and raising families find themselves faced with balancing a job and educating children, all within the same household. Those who are enjoying retirement suddenly find themselves unable to get out and about to enjoy hobbies, activities and social engagements.

Life has changed. But it hasn’t stopped.

There are a lot of things you can do to stay healthy, engaged, and calm during this difficult time. We’d like to offer some tips and resources that we’ve shared with our community.

Staying Safe: Inside & Away from Home

As we limit movements outside our homes, there are steps we can all take to ensure that we’re reducing the risk of spread and exposure of any virus, not just COVID-19. These tips have existed for a while, though they’re critical for everyone during our current situation.

Undoubtedly, you’ve heard and followed the tips and advice from public health experts. From hand washing to social distancing, most of us are more familiar than perhaps we ever expected a need to be about the simple steps we each can take individually in the interest of the greater good.

For anyone seeking a good, quick reference and reminder, Goodwin Living gathered hygiene tips as well as advice for how to stay active and engaged from the comforts and safety of home. Check out our simple two-page guide.

Keep Calm & Carry On

For a few years now, there’s been a resurgence of a motivational phrase used in the United Kingdom during World War II: “Keep Calm & Carry On.” These iconic words and poster design can be found on t-shirts, mugs, fridge magnets… just about any household item or piece of clothing you might think of. And it’s a phrase that applies to what we’re all living through right now.

The situation itself can be stressful enough. That stress and anxiety can be exasperated by the incredibly restrictive and unprecedented measures we all must take.

As we settle into this new normal for several more weeks, we created a resource for keeping mentally healthy. We encourage you to read our “Tips for Remaining Calm through Peaceful & Creative Activities.”

Separate But Together

We are all in a unique position to stay together as we keep apart. Our modern, digital age offers us entire worlds at our fingertips. And while we would typically encourage close, personal interactions with loved ones that require disconnecting from our modern gadgets, now is a time when we encourage you to take full advantage of them.

Have a tip or story to share about how you’re staying connected? We’d love to hear from you! Email goodlife@goodwinliving.org

Be well. Be smart. Stay healthy!

As Corporate Director of Marketing & Communications, Kathie Miller provides strategic guidance and tactical support for all areas of Goodwin Living. She writes, edits and manages The Good Life blog and newsletter. Kathie joined GHI in 2014 after nearly 15 years at NPR, where she honed her skills in brand and reputation management, content marketing and internal communications. Originally from Pennsylvania, Kathie has slowly come to realize she’s lived in Arlington for more than half her life and should call herself a Virginian. She enjoys the outdoors and brings her rescue dog, Remi, to work every day.