If you’re like most of us, you’re stuck at home and probably wondering: how am I going to stay in shape without a gym or my favorite fitness class? Perhaps the lockdown has even provided an opportunity for you to expand on your usual routine in ways you didn’t have before.
So let me share with you how you can keep active during the quarantine. I’ll share workouts and other basic activities that are within your reach in your backyard, patio, local park, or even your living room!
- Download a fitness app
If you haven’t already, do a little research on fitness and health apps on the market today. There’s some that are catered to yoga, stretching, cardio, running, and there’s an endless cache on YouTube of fitness videos for you to choose from. I personally watch Leslie Sansone’s Walk at Home on YouTube for videos and Home Workout for Women – Female Fitness. If you want something for your mental health, check out Insight Timer which is a favorite of mine for meditations and mindfulness.
While you’re at it don’t forget to check out some apps to track your sleep score, meal times, skin routine and more. - Quelsh anxiety
It’s important that you address any your anxiety and fears about the current state of things head-on. It won’t matter how much you do on the outside, if you’re still suffering on the inside. Find the most suitable way for you to relax. Mediate, listen to soothing music or white noise, journal, or even simply sitting outside in nature can really ease your mind. What worked last week might not work today and that’s okay, it’s a good idea to have a range of options in your back-pocket.
You might judge and bash yourself for your anxiety. You might believe your negative, worst-case scenario thoughts are indisputable facts. Thankfully, there are many tools and techniques you can use to manage anxiety effectively. - Get active NOW!
Don’t delay any further. Start today or tomorrow! The backyard is a great place to get out of the house and soak in the rays. Play with a pet back there, kick/throw a ball, dance, or just get moving. Maybe you can even learn a new trick, everyone seems to be learning how to do a cartwheel this summer. If you have a mini exercise trampoline, you can always get on there and jump around. I’ve been just doing some basic yard work like weeding the garden, picking up stray trash, and tending to my birdfeeders.
Keep it real by taking small, sustainable steps. For example, a plan to achieve the goal of being active on most days of the week may start with 20 minutes a day, 3 days a week and gradually build up to 30 minutes, 5 days a week. Track your progress with a journal, website or one of the mobile apps we shared earlier. - Thank yourself
It’s important to honor that you are here now and you are a strong and brave individual. You are succeeding through a global pandemic, against all odds.
We’re always thanking our friends and family for their support and the incredible things they do for us but we sometimes forget that we should thank ourselves as well for the things we go through and how at certain times we make it completely on our own.
Focus on all the things; the little things and the big things. For the things that make you happy and the things that make you look forward to tomorrow. For the beautiful things you do that go unnoticed, for the sincere prayers you say to the ones you love, for the compromises you make, for the risky chances you take and for the silly things you do to make people smile. Thank yourself for any moment that made you grateful to be alive and made you love yourself a little bit more.
Maintaining a healthy routine, even without going to a gym, is extremely important as it can help boost one’s immune system and decrease stress. Exercising, especially during this time, can help people who regularly work out feel a sense of normalcy, while for others it can be the perfect time to start getting in shape.
Encourage your family to get in on working out, it can help keep everyone sane in these times of insanity. While keeping active, just remember to stay safe by washing your hands when you come inside and wearing a facemask if you decide to leave home. Do not use exercise as an excuse to meet up with friends; stay with your family to keep them and other families safe.
Wishing you and your loved ones the most healthy times!
Stoned N’ Social – Cannabis Chores + Rolled Tortillas
