For many young people, the “Freshman 15” is a cautionary urban myth rather than a reality.  In theory, the freshman year at college is often the first time that one is living outside of home.  The student is learning to survive (eating cheap fast food or 10/$1 pasta), dealing with increased pressures and stress, and is not taking care of their own health – all of these changes can snowball into an unhealthy weight gain.

Unless you live under a rock (in which case: stay there!), you are aware that the majority of America’s 9-to-5, white-collar, salaried office workers are working remotely from home. We are all subject to the Quarantine 15.

With the American habit of gathering and hoarding food whenever there is a crisis (hurricane, blizzard, social unrest, tornado), stores are now running low and limiting quantities of paper products, disinfectants, hand sanitizer, and now yeast and flour.  Here in New England, when a blizzard is coming, the stores and news outlets joke about the desire for French Toast because everyone immediately runs out and buys bread, milk, and eggs.  Apparently, this has now caused a shortage of flour in stores because people are baking their own bread at home (now that they have the time).  The yeast shortage has made many turn to the joys of sourdough starters.  Refrigerators across the country now have bubbling, living sponges being fed daily like little Tamagotchi.

When we go to the store and see empty shelves, it must psychologically trigger an instinct or a fear in us that we should be getting as much as we can.  Who knows how long we will be stuck at home?  Of course, this also weakens our normal health-conscious resolves.  This will be a trying time – I should get some comfort food.  Maybe some Cheetos and soda and mac & cheese and frozen pizzas and chocolate and…  The problem is (at least for my friends and I) that a lot of those junk purchases get eaten in the car on the way home, or much earlier in the quarantine than expected.

Then there is spoilage.  My husband was sick for the first weeks of our working remotely, and all he would eat was chicken soup.  Salad greens went bad before we could eat all of them.  Vegetables got slimy.  I ended up having to make banana bread from the overripe bananas, blueberry muffins before the berries went bad (the freezer was full because I stuck everything else that might spoil in there), etc.  I was definitely snacking more because the soup wasn’t filling me up, and I ate his desserts or rolls when he didn’t.

In addition to eating more (or more often), I hadn’t realized just how much walking I was doing in my normal workday – not just commuting, but getting up from my desk to go talk to a colleague, or running an errand.  Now, my commute is MUCH shorter, and I have to use Zoom to see my co-workers.  There is definitely a drop in my daily steps.

I am worried about all of this causing weight gain, so I’m trying to walk around during calls, do some stretches and exercises when I can, and trying to resist the temptation of eating when I’m bored with sitting at my desk working.  I would go for walks or hikes, but we’ve had a lot of rain lately.  My husband would like to go out, but with his pneumonia, that’s not an option, either.

What are you doing to curb the Quarantine 15?
(comment below)

Checking our Privilege

This disruption to the daily routine is necessary and life-saving.  We have to learn to check our privilege before complaining, because we are able to continue our work remotely: we are not on the front line of dealing with this pandemic – those who are heroes and deserve our undying gratitude. – and we are not forced into unemployment.

Using that Privilege

While many of us are saving money by not commuting, not buying that latte or bagel sandwich each day, not going out for drinks after work, or not buying take-out to eat at our desks instead of the leftovers we brought, I hope that people will consider using those saved dollars to help those that are not as lucky as we are.

Give to the Artists (performers, creators, arts instructors, tattoo artists, small crafting business owners…) by seeing if they offer gift certificates or artwork you can buy online, or passes to next season, or look for online performances where you can send money to the performer.

With restaurants and bars closed to all but take-out or delivery, our servers and bartenders are out of work.  Here in Salem, we have Behind You, an organization that was created long before this pandemic.  They raise money to offer financial aid to food service employees that are unable to work due to illness or injury.  Find out if your area has a similar service.  It is also my hope that we will all learn to tip our servers a little better when we are allowed to go back out and gather again.

Grocery store workers could be the most under-protected at-risk group – and they are paid the least.  Obviously, the healthcare workers are the most at-risk, but they have procedures and access to protective gear (though news reports say not nearly enough).  Check your store’s policy on tipping your baggage handler.  If you are not able to give them money, give them a smile and a break from their hectic day.  Let them tell a story that you don’t want to hear.  Treat them with kindness (which you should be doing anyway) when they tell you that there is a limit on one of your items and you have to put one back.

I’ve seen pizza and meals being delivered to hospital staff from nearby communities.  Contact your local hospital administration to see if this is something you can do.

Check-in (by telephone) on elderly neighbors to see if they need anything.  Offer to go to the store (wear a mask and leave it outside their door) or offer to order something online for them, if they are unable.

If you do order grocery or food delivery, TIP YOUR DELIVERER MORE THAN USUAL.  They are risking their health, and the health of their family, so you can stay safe at home.

If you have the means and the ability, and you see someone struggling, reach out and offer assistance.

In Conclusion

I feel so lucky to be able to continue with my job, to get paid, to keep my health insurance, and to be given the resources I need to do my job.  I am privileged.  If there is something I can do to help others, I will.  I hope you will, too.

Please feel free to share your resources for helping others in the comments.