Summer is here, but this summer will probably be unlike any you have ever experienced. Try these tips to maintain your health and physical fitness while you’re cooped up inside.
Watch Workout Videos
Do you love yoga, martial arts, aerobics, or dancing? No matter what your exercise style is, there is a digital workout instructor waiting for you. Look for an online program that catches your interest and inspires you to start an indoor routine.
YouTube is one of the best places to find workout videos for nearly any interest. You should also check the website for your local gym; they may be offering digital classes taught by your favorite instructors. Finally, do a quick google search for your favorite type of exercise; the internet is full of both free and
paid options.
Make Time to Move Around
As many couch potatoes and gamers have learned, going completely sedentary will have a slow but steady impact on your health. You can prevent this downward slide by adopting a lifestyle that includes movement and general passive activity.
Start by getting up for a short break after every 1 to 2 hours that you spend sitting down. Stand up, stretch, and get a drink of water. Pay attention to the way your body starts to feel when you’ve been sitting too long; if you feel heavy or lethargic, it’s time to move around.
You can also incorporate movement into the way you interact with your environment. Dance to music, play with your pets, and pace when you’re on a solo phone call. Even 20 minutes of movement during the day will help you stay fit while quarantine progresses.
Improve Your Housekeeping Skills
When approached with a balanced attitude, keeping a clean house is great for your physical and mental health. The physical activity of cleaning gives you an excuse to get out of your chair and move around. A freshly-cleaned environment is also the perfect space to dance, practice yoga, or increase the number of push-ups that you can do in one session.
Keeping your house clean will also help you maintain a sanitary and virus-free environment to stay quarantined in. Prioritize tasks like doing laundry, vacuuming, and disinfecting surfaces. Open the windows when there is low activity outside; fresh air is needed to keep your atmosphere from feeling stale.
Get Plenty of Rest
Sleep is the cornerstone of a healthy lifestyle. Getting enough rest will bolster your immune system, improve your mental state, and give you the energy you need to exercise throughout the day.
The average adult needs 7-9 hours of sleep a night. However, if you’ve been recently stressed, sick, or sleep-deprived, you may need as much as 10 hours of sleep to feel truly rested. Establish a reasonable bedtime and wake-up time, and try to stick to your schedule throughout the summer. Your body will thank you when it’s finally time to go back to work.
Your health is influenced by the decisions you make throughout the day. Treat exercise, diet, hygiene, and rest as important parts of your life; then, discover how to express these priorities in a way that works for you.