It’s still week one of being locked down and the realities of being at home for the foreseeable future are starting to set in. The more we stay home and maintain some distance from the physical world and normal every day routine, it is vital that we understand how regular exercise is essential during this health crisis.
Working from home results in a loss of your normal routine, and with that also comes changes in diet, and more snacking! With most outdoor activities now unsafe due to the pandemic, you could be tempted to binge on Netflix or Disney+ in your down time. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle during this lock-down certainly has it’s challenges. It seems that working at home is the new going out, so why not develop a new routine to include that much needed exercise to keep you feeling good.
As gyms have closed their doors across the UK, the fitness industry is finding alternative ways to keep offering classes to their regulars. Some instructors are improvising with dial-in classes via video conferencing, or live streaming on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram. Specialist online fitness websites are also seeing a spike in subscriptions. So whatever form of exercise you take, there should be something online for you to follow. Some people are making sure they take a daily walk each day, others are still carrying out their Cross-fit sessions by dialing in together from their own garages or gardens.
For a basic home workout you may need a yoga mat, resistance bands, skipping rope, kettle bells or dumbbells. If you don’t have any of these, improvise using tins or bottles as replacement weights. Use your stairs for various cardio exercises, or simply go for a run while you still can.
Keeping fit has its obvious physical advantages, and this is a good place to start if you’re feeling a little bit lost right now. Exercise decreases stress and anxiety, while also fueling a good night’s sleep, something that we all need right now.
We must, without question, follow the government’s guidelines: only leave your house for exercise once a day, alone or with one member of your household. Having a partner to exercise with will only spur you on and help you keep to a routine. There are plenty of responsible and safe ways to stay active and get some much-needed vitamin D from the sun!
