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?
Hanna Battah: I am someone who loves in-person group fitness classes, so quarantine has made me get creative and branch out to stay active. I’ve been trying several online virtual classes, from apps, to Instagram, even some Youtube finds! Switching up the classes/ instructors helps me stay interested and motivated. Most importantly, having a good playlist makes me excited to push myself.
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? How has your job changed in the past few months?
Hanna Battah: Working from home is an arrangement I never anticipated happening in the TV news world. At the start of the pandemic, I was exposed to a coworker who had gotten sick. As a precaution, I was advised to quarantine and work from home. Thankfully, it was just a scare and my coworker tested negative, but I went home that day not realizing I wouldn’t see my desk again for 6 months (and counting). Most of my office had pretty rapidly shifted to remote working, which means turning our homes into studios and using a cell phone to broadcast from home. I read scripts off my laptop, and no longer use a teleprompter for our 6-hour newscast. The quick adjustment for us meant having to stay flexible with a constantly changing workflow and patient with technical glitches. On the bright side, it’s made our morning team more cohesive with stronger communication.
How are you managing your stress during this time?
Hanna Battah: I’ve learned to give myself a break. Since we’ve all had to make changes and sacrifices in our lives, I give myself a little leeway when it comes to staying on top of day-to-day activities. For me, that means accepting I’m not going to be able to work out as hard on my home yoga mat as I might on professional gym equipment or be able to accomplish as much at home as I could in the office. I try reminding myself to control what I can and manage what I can’t.
How are you staying in touch with family and friends? Any tips for staying more connected?
Hanna Battah: I love video chatting. Love it! I don’t care if it’s FaceTime, Zoom, Facebook messenger— connecting with my friends, family and coworkers has allowed me to have some sense of normalcy (and sanity!). Being in quarantine has made many of us more aware of how easy it is to get disconnected from people when we don’t see them every day. My advice for staying connected? Schedule a time during the day or week for connecting. For me, it’s when I have my morning coffee. Let’s call it my caffeinate and conversate time. Wow, I’m embarrassed I just came up with that.
What’s one good habit you have developed during this time that you want to keep?
Hanna Battah: It’s no secret Texas summers are HOT. I love running, but I’m not trying to get a marathon in when it feels like a sauna outdoors. I’ve started to go on daily walks just to get out, explore, and enjoy the outdoors. I’ve been able to find some new corners of the city I wouldn’t have otherwise ventured to. I think I’ll make this a regular “thing.”
We all have some tough days, what keeps you positive and motivated as a public figure?
Hanna Battah: I think everyone has gone through waves of unproductivity and feeling “meh.” If I don’t have a solid Monday, it usually trickles into the rest of the week. I motivate myself by setting small goals. I think we all have days where we want to binge watch our new favorite shows, but I try limiting things that keep me from achieving my goals when I can. That means having a “cut off” time at night where I’ll switch from Netflix to reading or studying Spanish, turning my phone off, and setting boundaries when I feel like I’m getting into a slump. When I stick to my goals, then those nights of binge-watching TV or eating unhealthy feels like earned rest and relaxation time.
A bit of positivity: have you seen an act of kindness or generosity during this difficult time that has moved you or inspired you?
Hanna Battah: Almost every day we report on the amazing compassion Texans have shown to one another. I remember one in particular from May when local animal shelters put in a call for help during shelter-in-place. Almost immediately, hundreds of animals found foster or forever homes, and the SPCA was completely cleared. My heart melted.
What was the most fun quarantine activity you’ve done?
Hanna Battah: Maybe it’s all this extra free time, or maybe it’s because my at-home studio is my dining room, but I have been cooking up a storm during quarantine. If you follow me on Instagram you’ve probably had your fill (and then some) of my random creations. It’s been enjoyable but also rewarding knowing I’ll walk away with a new skill.
What do you most look forward to doing again after restrictions are lifted?
Hanna Battah: Traveling! Hands down! You better believe I’ll be doing a lot more exploring (or Tex-ploring as I call it when I’m visiting Texas cities) when we can venture out safely!
What are some tips you would give to all Americans during COVID-19?
Hanna Battah:
1. Give yourself a break! We are living in an uncertain and stressful time, so don’t get down on yourself if you haven’t been feeling your best or accomplishing everything you would like to. Give yourself some grace.
2. Staying active can be tough! Make simple swaps to keep fitness convenient, like walking twice a day instead of commuting to and from work.
3. Have a schedule each day — This will help to keep you motivated, set priorities, and give you some sense of normalcy.
4. Find the positives! This is a challenging time, but there are some positives to quarantine too. Maybe you will master a new skill or get in extra sleep you have been needing.
