We’ve all had to make adjustments this year with COVID-19 gripping almost every area of our lives. Celebrities and public figures are no different- which is why we asked them how they’ve adapted, what’s inspired them during this difficult time, and how they make time for themselves.
HFR founder Samir Becic adds “It is immensely important that Texans stay physically fit during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
We hope that these positive tips and routines will make our readers feel less alone during these trying times and maybe even find some inspiration in adopting some of these COVID-19 healthy daily habits!
How are you staying physically active in the age of COVID-19? What are you eating?
Erin Moran: Garage workouts! One thing I noticed back in March when everyone was basically told to stay home and gyms closed, there was so much workout content on social media! My husband and I were finding great workouts that we tried to replicate on our own in the garage – free weights, bodyweight, cardio, etc. It hasn’t always been perfect, but honestly, as we’ve both been primarily working from home since March it’s been easier to find at least 30 minutes during the day to be active (sometimes something as simple as going for a walk and getting 10,000 steps in). Workouts aren’t at the same time every day, and the workouts haven’t been the same each day, but we’re trying to make it work.
This pandemic forced me to FINALLY start cooking at home! I’ve never really enjoyed cooking, but with restaurants closing for a while and the uncertainty with the virus, I had no choice. But I’ve been focusing on trying to create balanced meals with lots of protein and fiber, healthy carbs, and even some fat. Ironically enough, one of my new year’s resolutions was to focus on my nutrition, so I’ve actually been working with a nutrition coach since February (shoutout to @willsquatforpizza). Kelly has been working with me on tracking my macros and making sure my meals are more balanced. Healthy carbs, healthy fats, lots of protein…it’s been a learning process for me, but I’m grateful to have the time to focus on my nutrition.
Being the voice of information and news during a pandemic creates new and unforeseen obstacles- what are some of the challenges that you’ve successfully adapted to/overcome?
Erin Moran: Watching how so many industries have adapted to the pandemic has been eye-opening and quite frankly kind of amazing. The broadcast media industry is no exception. I’m now working from home five days a week, streaming to our viewers through an iPhone – what?! I can promise you I never saw this day coming. And my husband and I live in a small one-bedroom apartment right now, as we were/are saving up to buy a house. So, going from “normal” work circumstances where we both go into the office, to two adults working from home 24/7 in less than 800 square feet has been…interesting (to say the least, lol). But I am grateful to continue to get to do what I love, even if it is from a different work environment right now. And I’m grateful that people still turn to us for their news and weather. It’s not something I take lightly.
How has your job changed in the past few months?
Erin Moran: The expectation is still the same – communicate an accurate forecast to our viewers. The environment is totally different though. I went from driving to the TV station where I’d interact with dozens of coworkers and present my forecast in front of a green screen, to not leaving my living room and presenting my forecast to an iPhone and a selfie light. It was a BIG adjustment back in March and April! I think by late April I established my WFH routine though, and it got a little easier after that. I definitely still miss seeing coworkers on a daily basis though. Work is a social thing! Especially when you work amongst a bunch of professional communicators.
How are you managing stress during this time?
Erin Moran: I think establishing a routine has helped me manage my stress. I created a “work space” in my home that has all my computers, broadcasting gear, cords, etc. I try to keep everything work-related confined to that space, as I’ve felt this helps me establish a line between work time and off-work time. I also have really tried to focus on getting enough sleep each night (eight hours). If I start to feel anxiety or stress building up during the workday, I usually step outside and try to take a walk (even if it’s just a few minutes). The fresh air helps me to ground myself and be in a better space overall.
A bit of positivity: have you seen an act of kindness or generosity during this difficult time that has moved you or inspired you?
Erin Moran: I have given blood twice so far this year – for the record, it’s always been a safe process and they are taking every precaution necessary with this pandemic. Both times I’ve gone, the overall donation goal was met or exceeded. I know it’s small, but with the need so great and the supply so short – especially with the virus ongoing – it seemed like people were really trying to step up and help one another.
How are you staying in touch with family and friends? Any tips for staying more connected?
Erin Moran: I don’t think I’ve ever used video chat as much as I have over the last year. None of our family is local, so we’re used to staying in touch over the phone and through text. But FaceTime and Zoom have definitely become more prevalent for us this year. And we even had weekly happy hour zoom calls with our friends on Friday nights through the spring and summer months. Having specific times scheduled for family calls or friend calls definitely helped us with the isolation in the beginning – it gave us something to look forward to, whether our call was scheduled for Tuesday afternoon or Friday night or Sunday morning.
What’s one good habit you have developed during this time that you want to keep?
Erin Moran: I really have been prioritizing my sleep – aiming to get 7-8 hours every night – and I hope to continue that after this pandemic is over (but sometimes that’s hard to do with a broadcasting schedule).
We all have some tough days, what keeps you positive and motivated as a public figure?
Erin Moran: I recognize that there’s a lot of uncertainty in our world right now. If my forecast can provide a little bit of “normalcy” to someone’s day, then I’m happy to do that. And I think that’s part of what’s keeping me going through all this.
What do you most look forward to doing again after restrictions are lifted?
Erin Moran: Traveling! Not only will it be nice to visit our family across the country without wondering whether we have the virus or we’re going to get the virus, but we’ve really enjoyed traveling internationally over the last few years. We took a trip last summer to Ireland and Italy, and we were hoping to make it to Greece this summer…there’s always next year (fingers crossed)!
What was the most fun quarantine activity you’ve done?
Erin Moran: Pretty simple, but we’ve been playing more card games and board games during this pandemic. It’s a way to spend time together without being on our phones and without the TV on. My husband really likes this card game called Stroop, and I’ve really taken a liking to Parcheesi. ☺
What were the best and worst parts of working from home, especially when filming a newscast?
Erin Moran: Best part? No commute! That walk from the bedroom to the living room isn’t too tough…
Worst part? Unforeseen distractions during broadcasting – mainly my dogs. I love them, don’t get me wrong. But I swear, they will be quiet all day, napping in their beds or on the couch, but once 4 PM rolls around and I need to broadcast all of a sudden, they find all this energy! They’ve been wrestling in the background of my live shots, jumping on/off the couch – one of them actually fell off the couch during a weather broadcast one time and made a huge THUNK. I usually try to ignore it, but that time I had to look over and make sure she was okay (she was). Most of the viewers find it to be very funny though – lots of tweets after those broadcasts with my crazy dogs!
How did you and other coworkers stay in touch?
Erin Moran: Daily emails and a lot of group texts! The beginning of our WFH setting definitely required a lot of communication, but we’ve all settled into a routine with one another now. It’s nice to still be able to stay in touch!
What are 3 tips you would give to all Americans during COVID-19?
Erin Moran:
- Take care of your mental health. If you’re feeling anxious or overwhelmed (and I wouldn’t blame you if you were), talk to someone. A close friend or family member. Or a therapist. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with saying “I need help”. And especially in these unprecedented times, you need to do what works for you to take care of yourself.
- Connect/reconnect with family and friends. Video chats aren’t the same as hugging someone in person, but my zoom chats and facetimes have gotten me through some really tough moments during this pandemic.
- Remember that we will get through this. There is life after 2020 and after coronavirus.
