Being at home with seemingly nowhere to go can really change up your healthy routine. Whether you’ve been baking up a storm or have just been reaching for the chip or pretzel bag a few extra times throughout the work (from home) day, staying healthy during this current moment in time can be really tricky.

We asked our staffers to share some of the little changes they’ve made to stay healthy while social distancing, and most of the answers we received can easily be added to any daily routine! Keep reading to see how you can adopt one — or all — of the suggestions below to make your own time at home a little bit healthier.

All About Balance

My family has been baking more these past few months, so I’ve been mindful of making sure that fruits and veggies show up throughout the day — if the kids are having one of Ina Garten's brownies, I have them eat some raspberries or a clementine alongside. Just trying to look out for balance not only for me, but especially for them.

— Debra Puchalla, SVP Digital Programming and Digital

Bye, Bye Blue Light!

I was getting a ton of headaches when quarantine started and realized (shocker!) it was probably from sitting for hours in front of my computer, simultaneously straining my eyes and becoming dehydrated throughout the day. I made a few small changes and, while I can’t say my headaches are gone forever, they’re definitely under control now. First, I broke out my blue-light blocking glasses, which I had luckily taken home with me from the office. Then I bought myself a giant water bottle with volume markers so I could see how much I’m drinking throughout the day. And most importantly, I started going on a walk at both the beginning and the end of the day to make sure I’ve stretched my legs and cleared my head.

— Julie Hines, Managing Editor, Food Network Kitchen App

A Little Help from a Furry Friend

I know this sounds ridiculous, but I am definitely relying on my dog to keep me healthy during quarantine. Since he is not a fan of walking in warm weather, we’ll sit outside on the super-hot days and soak up the sunshine, instead. It’s a nice way to get fresh air and take a break from my laptop — something I would probably not be doing on my own! He will also wake me up if I haven’t fed him by 9 a.m., so I’ve been able to stick to a schedule, which always helps me feel motivated and organized. Maybe I should buy him a few extra toys as a thank you…

— Leah Scalzadonna, Associate Editor, Programming

A Side of Greens

We eat salad with dinner almost every night, but instead of chopping up a bunch of lettuce and veggies, which can be time-consuming, we opt for salad kits. Using a pre-chopped mix with all the fixings, including the toppings and dressing, makes adding a side salad to a meal so much easier. We look for healthier options like kits with kale, vinaigrettes and nutritious toppings like seeds. This gives me more time to make an interesting main without the worry of getting everything on the table before the hangry-ness hits.

— T.K. Brady, Senior Editor

Let's Be (Zoom) Lunch Buddies

I know this is going to sound really silly, but actually eating three meals a day (plus a few snacks periodically) has really kept me focused during my time working from home. I used to skip lunch all the time when I was working from the office and would often eat double, if not triple, the food when I finally got home for dinner. Having my twin sister home with me has made sticking to a more structured eating schedule really easy — even when I tell her I’m super busy, she won’t leave me alone until I take a break with her. I’ve also been drinking a lot more water and have been going on a mandatory hour-long walk around the neighborhood with my dad every night after dinner. It may not seem like the most drastic of changes, but not only am I getting to spend more time with my family, I also feel more energized, too!

— Michelle Baricevic, Online Editorial Coordinator, Food Network Magazine

I’m not going to lie; it’s so much easier to stick to your health and wellness goals when you have a support system. Before quarantine, my regular routine involved talking to my food-loving co-workers about my healthy meal prep (and them keeping the free doughnuts far, far away from my desk). But now I’m home every day — it’s just me, my 4th grade daughter and a wholesale club-size tub of Peanut M&Ms — with no one to hold me accountable. That’s why I started talking to my best friend about my healthy eating goals every time we hop on Zoom. Once I tell her what I’m going to meal prep for the week I have to follow through because I know she’ll ask about it later. Added bonus: she’s a great cook and always has new recipe ideas for me!

— Kristie Collado, Manager, Digital Programming

A New Kind of Morning Routine

Every morning, I have been waking up early to either go for a walk in the park or tune into a Youtube workout class. Then, I’ll shower, put real clothes on, and blend up a smoothie before sitting at my desk and starting my day. It’s small, but I have found that this a.m. routine has dramatically improved my mood!

— Trish Clasen, Digital Programming Manager

(Almost) every morning during quarantine, my husband and I have started our day with 20-30 minutes of yoga. It clears our head, stretches our bodies, and gets us in the right headspace before starting the workday. We’ve also made a goal of getting outside every day for either a run or walk – especially important since we live in a small Brooklyn apartment with little direct sunlight!

— Sarah Holden, Digital Culinary Producer

A Hearty Breakfast

Not going to lie — the first few weeks of quarantine were a free-for-all in the snack drawer. I ate chips at all times of the day, because, hey, why not? But after the initial shock of quarantine wore off, I settled into a routine, a kind of new normal. One thing I continue to do every day is start with a hearty breakfast. Cereal, toast, yogurt, oatmeal, scrambled eggs (and the occasional French toast) are all part of my weekday rotation now. With this, I’m guaranteed to be full for hours, and by starting the day with something healthy, I know I have a solid foundation for what’s to come. Because inevitably, I will dip into the bag of chips at some point.

— Maria Russo, Senior Editor, Food Network

Related Links:

The Best At-Home Workouts to Get Your Body Moving

How Safe Is It To Order Takeout Right Now?

Suffer from Headaches? Tweaking Your Diet Might Help