Keep a routine. It is not because you are isolated due to the coronavirus and unable to leave home, that you should let yourself go. For instance, avoid getting up at noon and staying up until the wee hours of the morning, unless that is your normal routine. Nor should you remain in your pajamas all day unless you are ill and in bed.  Get up and get dressed.

• Carry on with life as usual as much as possible: dress, bathe, brush your teeth, shave, put on make-up, and pamper yourself.
• Continue your self-care with regular meals and sleep as well as exercise.
• Have a plan with at least one goal for the day.
• Put on comforting music, stretch, and make the day agreeable as much as possible.

It is especially important to have a purpose, a reason to get up in the morning. Plan tonight for tomorrow. My own primary research has shown that having a purpose is probably the most important ingredient to aging well. During this COVID-19 pandemic, we need to remember this more than ever, both for our physical health and for our age-esteem.

Bonnie Fatio