Physical Activity and COVID-19

Physical activity is important, as it helps with weight management, disease prevention, and mental health. There are other reasons it is especially important to stay active during the COVID-19 outbreak; Exercise lifts your mood, it improves your cholesterol, lowers your blood pressure, helps you sleep better, helps with stress management and just plain makes you feel better in such a stressful time.

Outside

Outdoor activities are safe as long as you stay at least 6 feet away from other people. Some examples are walking, biking, hiking, skipping rope or jogging. All of these are great ways to get fresh air without coming into contact with others. If you miss having company during your activity maybe try calling a friend or family member while exercising. Don’t forget to wave or smile as someone passes by in the distance. It helps us to feel connected to others and it just feels good to see other people who are going through the same thing.

When outdoors, you should avoid touching “walk” buttons on stoplights, poles, benches, banisters or other outdoor equipment (or basically anything), just to be safe. You should also take your shoes off before going in the house because no one knows for sure if the virus can stick to them and/or for how long. You should also avoid drinking out of public drinking fountains. So, make sure to take your own water with you.

Inside

If you feel safer staying indoors or have kids to watch you still have options. You can do workout or dance videos, yoga, Pilates, or even make a circuit training camp in your family room with push-ups, squats, lunges, jumping jacks, sit-ups, planks or any other exercise you can think of to get you moving. You could also use a video chat such as Zoom to have a friend join in the fun with you.

There are also some inexpensive items you can order online such as a stability ball, resistance bands, dumbbells, or a kettlebell. Or you can just use some items around your house; canned goods, books, water jugs or laundry detergent all make great weights.

Free Workout Options

Many places are offering free online fitness classes and apps. The link below will take you to 24 free livestream workouts & at-home workout apps to try:

https://www.bustle.com/p/24-free-livestream-workouts-at-home-workout-app-trials-22628328

Now what are you waiting for? Get moving and have a great day!