Staying Active During COVID-19

During these unprecedented times, many of us are now working at home and social distancing. While there are many things that are out of our control right now, there are things you can control such as your activity level.

Research has shown that exercise helps support a healthy immune system, which is important to have at all times, not just during a pandemic. Exercise is also beneficial for your mental health. Regular physical activity has shown to reduce stress as well as symptoms of anxiety and depression. In addition, exercise can help you sleep better, which is critical for your overall health and well-being because sleep is when your body and mind recharge and heal.

The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week, plus at least two days per week of muscle-strengthening activities per week. The good news? There are plenty of ways to meet these guidelines and exercise at home while staying safe!

Outdoor exercise such as running, walking and biking are some of the best ways to stay active right now. If you have the outdoor space, you can even do bodyweight exercises, including push-ups, lunges, mountain climbers, burpees, etc. There are hundreds of examples on YouTube if you search “bodyweight exercise” or “total body workout.” You can view these workouts right from your phone so you can do them outside. An added bonus of outdoor workouts? The fresh air and sunshine will boost your mood and get you out of the house!

Yoga is a great indoor workout – not only does it have the mental and meditative benefits, but stretching is very good for blood flow and circulation. This is especially important if you’ve been cooped up in the house all day. You can find plenty of free yoga videos on YouTube, as well.

Whether you’re outside or indoors, it is important to stay active during this time. Keeping a good routine and moving your body will benefit you physically and mentally.