Staying healthy and happy during COVID-19

While staying at home is critical in the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Sunshine Coast Council is reminding residents to look after their own physical wellbeing.

Council’s #CovidKindness initiative offers a wide variety of practical tips and resources for neighbours to connect and look out for one another, neighbour to neighbour, street to street and community to community.

A series of free and useful information is available on council’s website that encourages people to Stay Healthy.

Council’s top tips for reducing stress while in isolation include:

Set up a daily routine for everyone in the household.

Plan activities that are fun and give you a sense of achievement.

Maintain physical fitness and reduce stress with an at-home exercise routine.

Eat well, plan ahead and learn to cook a variety of nutritious meals.

Stay connected with friends and family via phone, email and video conferencing.

Sunshine Coast Council Mayor and Local Disaster Management Committee Chair Mark Jamieson said he was pleased the #CovidKindness initiative had been picked up by many groups and organisations across the nation.

“We have been contacted by other councils and health boards around Australia praising Council for its Covid Kindness initiative and asking to use our non-branded materials, which is terrific to see.”

Exercising at home is another way to stay healthy and council has compiled a great list and direct links to many online programs including the State Government’s Healthier, Happier program, free yoga and guided meditation interactions, at-home workouts, exercise and mental health e-books, the 10,000 steps remote challenge and walking at home.

There’s even a link to a mindfulness app with a guide to daily meditation.

Council’s Group Executive, Economic and Community Development, Greg Laverty encouraged everyone to look after their physical and mental wellbeing.

“Council strongly urges people to still try to maintain a healthy lifestyle during these very tough times,” Mr Laverty said.

“We also have our wonderful #CovidKindness postcard that is proving to be very popular, which people can print out and safely pop in their neighbour’s mailbox.

“All of these materials are free for anyone to access and are welcome to use online.”

Pointers to eating healthy are also available, including tips surrounding sustainable living, smart eating, useful recipes and online chef challenges.