It’s been a few weeks with everyone adjusting to the new work from home model (and studying online in the case of students). Some have adjusted to the routine and others are still struggling. But as we begin to establish a new normal in our lives for the time being, exercise and fitness needs to somehow be a part of it.
For some of us, exercise was never part of the day and for others, it could’ve been a daily or weekly routine. But now that we’re all stuck at home with minimal outdoor activities, it’s easy to fall into the trap of sitting on a chair, couch or bed all day without any movement. This is especially the case with work from home that, if you aren’t careful, can slowly turn into 24/7 availability which means sitting at a desk for hours on end.
Here’s why you need at least 30 to 45 minutes of exercise, fitness or yoga at home everyday to stay sane for the rest of this quarantine.
1) It’ll Keep You Happy
Exercise, yoga and any fitness routine is medically proven to improve the mood
According to health website, Mind, Body and Green, exercise boosts the mood because the, “heart rate increases and your body pumps more oxygen to your brain. That process can affect your overall positivity.”
In current life conditions, being locked at home is not necessarily a positive thing so exercising for half an hour every day will help keep you positive. It’s important to bring this spirit and this positivity into your ‘work from home’ environment especially when every day is packed with back to back meetings on various video conferencing apps.
2) Changing Up The Routine
Let’s face it. Everyone’s routine consists of: wake up, eat, work/ study, eat, sleep and repeat. Even weekends look the same. It’s up to you to make daily life at home fun, entertaining and healthy. One way to do that is through exercising.
The New York Times spoke to Dani Johnson, a physical therapist at Mayo Clinic Healthy Living Program who said that there is no need for any fancy equipment and that every, and any kind of movement counts.
“Next time you watch a TV show, get up and do some squats during the commercials. Do heel raises when you’re washing dishes. Do side lunges when you’re throwing clothes in the dryer… Knock out some push-ups when you’re waiting for a pot of water to boil. Dancing is also a great way to move your body,” the article stated. This is all a part of bringing in something different, and healthy, in the routine.
3) Family Exercising For Bonding
Working out with family members is a good way to bond
For a lot of us, this is the longest we’ve ever stayed at home. In between yelling across the living room and/or corridor and bickering over the remote control, it’s good to give family time some effort; we kind of have to now.
Not everyone is quarantined with immediate family members, but if you are, and if you’ve spent these few weeks arguing, give the group exercising a chance. There are online video tutorials and apps you can resort to for having a clear plan and list of fitness exercises to do together. If there is a wide age gap, go for intro level fitness or beginner yoga!
4) Staying At Home = Increased Unhealthy Eating Habits
Netflix & Chill?
Another reason exercising right now in these circumstances is necessary is simply because staying at home all day leads to the inevitable path of eating unhealthy and 0 movement. This is a lethal combination for anyone.
Some health websites encourage maintaining three healthy meals a day and regular intake of fruits as snacks. But quarantine has encouraged everyone to buy an overwhelming amount of chips, chocolates, biscuits – you name it.
We won’t tell you to cut down on the snacks (because honestly, who can do that?) but definitely make a point to do some exercise in the day that would keep your body moving and boost your metabolism.
Please note that this article only encourages exercising at home in quarantine. Whether exercising outdoors (streets or gym) is acceptable during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak is up to doctors to decide. Refer to the World Health Organization on public advice.
