4 At-Home Workouts While Self-Isolating

As time progresses and news of the outbreak spreads, the more it appears self-isolation will have to continue for a while longer. Staying home is important for everyone’s safety, but so much time indoors can be a challenge whether you live alone or with family and friends.

Staying cooped up inside can lead to feelings of cabin fever and lethargy. One of the best ways to shake off those feelings is through exercise. Exercise has several health benefits that can help you to beat cabin fever and feel your best.

In this current state, with everything closed, such as the gym and parks, it can be difficult to find ways to stay active and occupied. However, there are some things that you can do to get active while maintaining social distancing!

4 Health Benefits of Exercise

Regular physical activity that gets your blood pumping can help to turn any day into a positive one. The recommendation is to get at least 30 minutes of physical activity each day.

1) Reduce your risk of chronic diseases by helping your body to manage your cholesterol, triglyceride levels, and blood sugar levels as well as lower your blood pressure.

2) Improve your mood by encouraging your brain to release feel-good hormones, which helps you feel happy and relaxed.

3) Get a better night’s sleep by working out during the day so your body is ready for rest at night.

4) Strengthen your body by doing weight-bearing exercises that build bone density and strengthen or maintain your muscle strength.

4 At-Home Workouts to Try

You don’t need to go to a gym to get your body moving! You can work out right in the comfort and safety of your own home.

1) Yoga – Cultivating an at-home yoga practice or deepening a practice you’ve been working on is a great chance to include movement in your day while connecting to your body. YouTube is a great resource for online yoga videos, just do a quick search and find a video that works well for your body.

2) Outdoor run – Head outdoors for a light jog or run to get your body moving while enjoying the sunshine.

3) Calisthenics – These are great exercises to do because there are so many to choose from! You can pick what feels good for you and mix it up, so you never get bored. These exercises include activities like planks, jumping jacks, sit-ups, pushups, crunches, and burpees.

4) Online classes – There are several gyms and streaming platforms that are offering their courses online: some for free and others with a small charge. You can keep up with that Zumba class you were in love with or take this as an opportunity to try out something new!

When starting an at-home workout, it’s important to remember to be gentle with yourself. It’s okay to have days where you don’t exercise as much or not at all. Your body needs to rest as much as it needs to move. Listen to and trust in what your body is telling you.

Your Turn to Take Action: How will you incorporate movement into your day during self-isolation? Let me know in the comments below!