How To Stay Active | Self Wellness

Continuing Wellness During COVID-19

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Our daily lives have changed a lot as a result of COVID-19, but there are some practices that can help us stay calmer and limit the stress placed upon ourselves during this time. For starters, it is important to stay informed by national and local authorities and follow the precautions they recommend. Furthermore, it is important to maintain a daily routine and keep up with healthy habits. Maintaining social contact is important while using safe mediums. It is also important to monitor alcohol and drug usage; drugs and alcohol should not be used as a method of dealing with anxiety, boredom, fear, or isolation. These habits can be harmful and have been proven to increase the risk of viral infections and worse treatment outcomes. Screen time should also be monitored. Time spent on video games and social media should not be abused as it can become an unhealthy habit. Take breaks for daily physical activity.

Physical Activity

During these difficult times, it is extremely crucial for everybody to stay as active as possible. Physical activity greatly benefits the mind and body. Its' significant benefits include reducing high blood pressure and risk of heart disease, strokes, various cancers, and diabetes -- which can all increase vulnerability to COVID-19. Light intense physical activity such as walking and stretching helps ease muscle tensity and improves blood circulation throughout the entire body. In addition, physical activity improves muscle and bone strength, balance, flexibility, and overall fitness. Mental health also depends on physical activity. It decreases the risk of depression, dementia, cognitive decline, and even improves overall feelings.

Due to COVID-19, stress and anxiety have escalated for many people. A particular kind of physical activity, strength-training, has proven to minimize symptoms of anxiety in people of all ages, with and without an anxiety disorder. Using equipment specifically designed for weight-lifting, or even using household equipment to work out significantly reduces the effects of stress and anxiety. For youth and teens, partaking in medium-rigorous physical activity improves self-esteem, concentration, and sleep while it lessens susceptibility to depression. In addition, exercise is proven to have immune-boosting benefits that can help fight off infectious diseases such as COVID-19 and it can prevent weight gain caused by changes in diet and counteract the effects of inactivity.

Ways to Exercise

Physical fitness majorly contributes to a person’s mental health. Exercising helps the body develop a much greater immunity and strengthens the mind. Most families are stuck at home together due to the global pandemic. In addition, exercising alone is also very unmotivating. As a solution, there are limitless ways to get physical activity with your family.

For example, you can go on a long walk through your neighborhood with your family, you can host a family soccer game in your backyard, you can participate in daily home yoga sessions with your family, etc. A great way to motivate yourself to exercise is by maintaining weekly goals that you want to accomplish. This challenges you to keep up with your goals and never fall behind on

exercise. For example, you can set a goal for running a mile every other 2 days, and try to keep beating your previous record. As a result of this, you will become much more physically fit and a lot faster. Another way to exercise is by watching and participating in online training videos. Watching and participating in activities such as yoga, kick-boxing, dancing, etc. can keep you active and healthy throughout this pandemic. Finally, a simple way of getting exercise is by engaging in calorie-burning chores. Helping you parents mow the lawn, wash the cars, clean the house, etc. are all great opportunities to burn calories and be physically active. These can also make you feel accomplished, in turn improving your mental health. Your parents might even throw in an extra reward for partaking in such activities.