10 Ways to Stay Active During COVID-19
Originally Published: Mar 17, 2020
In the midst of COVID-19 the number one recommendation is to stay home and practice social distancing.
As tempting as it is to binge watch TV show after TV show, there are much healthier ways to stay active and energized. Here are our top 10 ways to stay active both physically and mentally during this unexpected time at home:
Practice mindfulness. It seems like every minute there is a new story about coronavirus or another social media post to read. This inundation of media can be toxic and overwhelming. Steady your mind through meditation and mindfulness. Bonus: these practices are also proven to aid immune health which is imperative right now! Become the chef you’ve always wanted to be. You can officially ditch the “I don’t have time to cook” excuse. Use this time at home to whip up a meal from scratch. Try these recipes for sundried tomato chicken and farro and shrimp and cauliflower rice stir-fry from team acac. Social distancing tip: order your groceries online if you can or utilize services like HelloFresh to limit your person-to-person interaction. Workout at home. Grab a jump rope for a quick calorie burn or try one of our partnering on demand fitness options for your favorite classes in the comfort of your own home.
Pamper yourself with a spa day at home. There’s no problem a face mask or fresh coat of nail polish can’t fix! Fill up the bathtub and soak your anxieties away.
Stretch it out. Similar to mindfulness, stretching is a simple but effective way to reduce and relieve stress. Try these exercises to stretch properly and effectively, and even improve your flexibility!
Exercise your mind. Turn off the screens and stimulate your brain in a different way. Do a puzzle with the kids, read a book, learn a new language. You’ll feel productive and your neurons will thank you!
Go for a walk. Fresh air is like chicken soup for the soul. Take a family walk around the neighborhood or venture to a nearby trail to find tranquility in nature. Pop in your headphones and listen to a playlist from team acac.
Clean your closet. Get a head start on spring cleaning by organizing your clothes for the season ahead.
Play with your pets. Your furry friends might be the only ones overjoyed by your home stay, but it is a great opportunity to spend quality time together. Teach your pet a new trick, play tag, and give them the attention they deserve. Pets provide companionship during this otherwise quiet time and can also greatly reduce feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression.
Get crafty. Remember a few years ago when adult coloring books were all the rage? It’s time to pull them out again! Crafts like coloring, knitting, embroidering, or painting help calm anxiety, aid motor skills, and can even boost memory. This is a perfect way to keep the kids entertained while they’re home from school! Even better: send your finished product to a far-away friend or relative to show them you care.
Along with making sure you stay active, don’t forget to drink water and get plenty of sleep! This will greatly impact your health and well-being, especially during this period of uneasiness. We wish you well and hope to see you soon.