Grocery Shopping During COVID

On February 26, 2010 I shared a post by Misty Robert abou groveryt shopping with Chronic Illness.. Unfortunately it’s no longer accurate due to changes in our world during this pandemic. So, below is an updated version..

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For healthy people, getting groceries is no big deal. even comparatively with COVID. But for people like us, with Fibromyalgia (FM) and CFS/ME, getting groceries can be as challenging as climbing Mount Everest!

Shopping takes an incredible amount of energy, as it can be hugely exhausting. The cognitive impact from needing to be focused and self-aware of what you & others are doing is super stressful. The Environmental factors including bright lights, crowds of people, with scent & audio sensitivities in the alert don’t help this situation. Add in COVID issues including the need for socisl.distancing, face masks and those who do not follow those rulez. These factors can, both in part or as a whole, exasperate everything sending you into a tailspin and a not so lovelyflare..

I’ve modified the tips from the previous article. They are meant to help limit the impact your grocery shopping because on your physical mental and emotional health.

Grocery List

Still a great idea. If you can, purchase for a longer term tell him that the number of trips you need to make to the grocery store. I keep a running grocery list of items that are pretty much standard for any trip to the grocery store but it’s also for items that I run low on or even run out of.

Organize your list. Try and organize it so that a coincides with your store so that all your produce is near the top of your list and then if your meat section is next then your meat products and if your bakery is next then your bakery items need to be listed and so on and so forth. It saves time because there is a lower likelihood of needing to backtrack. It makes it easier to follow the arrows on the group.

Plan Your Time

You know your store & you know where things are. In organizing your list it can help keep you focused so you can spend the least amount of time in the grocery store.

Plan your timing so that you schedule your trip when your energy levels are at their highest. Also consider the times that grocery stores tend to be slower, so avoid during the dinner hour.. The original article also suggested in the morning. With covid less people are working during the day so this time frame may be not as optimum. Many stores however do have a time frame such as 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. for seniors and people with disabilities. You can take advantage of this.

Additionally there are stores that do have significant lineups such as Costco that also give priority to persons who are working in healthcare or who have disabilities. I have taken advantage of this several times when shopping for myself and my parents.

Parking

Ideally you will have a accessible parking permit that lets you park in the accessible or wheelchair parking spots. If you don’t you may want to consider applying. It is fairly simple. Download the form from your Provincial or State website, have your physician fill it out and submitted it to your provincial services office or the Department of Motor Vehicles. A temporary permit is issued immediately.

For those who do not have a permit, and are unable to find a spot close, try parking near the cart returns. This will save you unnecessary steps later when your energy levels will be at their lowest. It is no longer recommended to grab a cart on your way in the store as it has not been cleaned and could be covid contaminated.

Choose Your Stores

First, ome stores are taking covid precautions a lot more seriously than others. I have found this in some stores. For those whose actions are more lackadaisical than others, I haven’t bothered to say anything but have simply walked out and left, never to return. I am not taking that kind of a risk with my health.. with my life..

Second, by sticking to stores you already know, you know where everything is.. You can avoid some of the unnecessary stress and wear & tear on your sore muscles. If you must shop at a new store, ask for a map. Some stores may have a little map located on the shopping cart. Take a moment to glance over your map, preferably sitting down with a cup of coffee before you get to the store.

Grocery Carts & Wheelchairs

How many times have you gone into a store only to find half way through that the cart you’re trying to push is out of alignment…or is missing a part? If you’re like me, this has happened one too many times. Be sure to check your cart out thoroughly before taking it too far. You’ll thank yourself later!

If you’re thinking of just grabbing a small basket instead of a cart, Don’t. It only takes one or two heavy items to make your arms and shoulders cry out. Plus by pushing a cart it gives you something to shift your weight on if you get tired.

Another idea for grocery shopping is to use a motorized buggy. Even if you aren’t in a wheelchair normally, taking advantage of this option can save you pain and agony later.

If you decide not to use a motorized cart, make your trip short. Previously, the recommendation was to take breaks. Many stores have a luncheon area or even a built in restaurant. Unfortunately, it’s no linger recommended &, in some places, illegal that you have a sit down with have coffee and a snack. Normally it would have been a chance to rest & recuperate. Limit the amount of time you are in doors shopping lower the risk of exposure..

If you walk to the store, take your own grocery buggie to wheel your groceries home. The stores don’t like you to take the carts all the way home in may cases it’s not even possible. So if you do have that heavy bag, you are not cayrying it.

At the Check-Out

Most grocery stores where I live now have a queue system , so you will get the next available cash. You got that next one that is available.

Addittedly, the less time you have to wait in line the better. Sometimes if you explain to the staff that you aren’t feeling well they might allow you to bump up the queue.

Card readers can be confusing to everyone, so don’t get flustered if you have some trouble. Ask the clerk for help and ignore the people grumbling behind you. Perfectly healthy people have trouble every day! And for convenience, activate your tap especially with covid so that you do not have to constantly sanitize your card. I think I may have fried the chip in my debit card. I’ve had to clean it a number of times because some places do not have tap, like Micheal’s. So, the tap no longer works.

Bag It

A lot of places no longer have people who bag stuff with your own bags. Costco does not permit reusable bags at all. Some stores like Dollarama require you to put your items on the counter and after being scanned to then remove them from the counter and put them in your own personal reusable bag. Discount grocery stores tend to not be have any changes in their policies I should normally be packing your own items. Summer stores do request that you do not place your reusable bags on the belt.

I believe the higher end grocery stores will still take your bags to bag your items. In that case, ask the checker or bagger not to load the bags too full.. You’re the one who has to drag them in from the car, or worse, carry them home! Also, if you require help to take your bags out, ask for help. Locally, here, they will walk your out to your vehicle & help load, but you must be wearing a mask.

If you’re too tired when you get home to put away your groceries, just put away what *has* to be put away – usually meats and freezer & refrigerated item.. You can always leave the rest until you’ve feeling a bit better. Unless you have a great husband or kids, trust me, they’ll still be there!