States across the country are slowly beginning to roll back their shut down orders, but that doesn’t mean that life will return to normal any time soon. Extensive social distancing, masks, and gloves are still highly recommended to prevent the spread of COVID-19, but more self-isolation can lead to bad habits developing and a more sedentary lifestyle. Let’s take a look at what you can implement today to stay fit as well as healthy from the comfort of your home.
Avoid Sitting or Laying Down For Too Long
One habit that is easy to implement is to take frequent breaks from sitting or laying down. During this pandemic, you may be spending long hours with your smartphone or watching tv, so remembering to walk around or spend a few minutes outside every hour is key to maintaining both mental and physical well-being. If you are working from home, consider a standing desk or some other set up that keeps you more active.
Utilize Your Bodyweight For Excercise
Even though you may be missing the gym, you can still stay in shape and work up a serious sweat from home using your own bodyweight. With a quick search online you can pull up dozens of different bodyweight workouts that are free and easy to stream on any device. Making sure that you are getting plenty of exercise is key to your long term health and it also strengthens your immune system.
Remember Proper Nutrition
It seems like the opposite would be true, but the more time you spend at home, the more likely you are to develop poor eating habits and reach for junk food or convenient meals whenever possible. This season of social isolation actually presents a perfect opportunity to try out new recipes that you otherwise may not have had the time for. Find a recipe that you have been wanting to try and experiment with it, and you may be surprised at how much you enjoy the extra time in the kitchen.
Stay Connected to Friends and Family
We are extremely fortunate to be going through this pandemic at a time when there are so many apps that allow us to stay connected with loved ones. Calling a friend or family member is also vital for mental well-being and to stave off those feelings of isolation, especially if you are living alone. You may find that you now have time to reach out to people you haven’t spoken to in years or become disconnected with throughout the busyness of life.
Get Outside
This last tip might be the most important one on the list. Getting outside for a walk, run, hike or bike ride will help you to exert yourself physically, get more time with family, and enjoy the fresh air and scenery. As more information comes to light about this pandemic, it’s actually been shown that healthy levels of Vitamin D can increase immunity and help protect you from the virus. Fresh air and active movement are also hugely beneficial to your immune system and mental health. With the social distancing guidelines recommending everyone stay 6′ apart, a walk around the neighborhood may be the perfect chance to talk to a friend or neighbor you haven’t been able to see.