Undoubtedly, the COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic has spread in a matter of weeks, completely changing the lives and daily routines of people in terms of the way they work, socialize and interact. In a large number of countries, governments have ordered a total lockdown, therefore people are obliged to stay in their homes throughout the day, in an effort to bring the situation under control and overcome it. However, people being locked in a house all day tend to be psychologically affected, which can prevent them from staying active and active. Since gyms are closed and people are avoiding close contact with each other in an effort to stop the spread of the COVID-19, they are looking for alternative ways to stay active even during the “remote”. But how can they stay healthy and "in shape" during quarantine?
A good and easy solution is YouTube which can provide both inspiration and education while someone is in quarantine. During this time, stress and anxiety are prevalent, so exercise and movement can provide relaxation, calm and relief from stress and tension. Below is a list of tips that can help you stay healthy and “in shape”, even while you are in quarantine.
#1: Stretch for a few minutes. Stretching is one of the best things you can do as soon as you wake up as spending a few minutes in the morning stretching your body and working your joints and muscles can benefit both your mind and body.
#2: Go out onto your balcony or into your garden. Spend some time – even just a few minutes – outdoors every day. If you have a garden, it’s a great opportunity to take advantage of it and enjoy it, especially if the weather is nice. Even if you don’t have a garden or the weather isn’t great, open your windows to let in some fresh air and feel nature on your face and body. Natural elements like sun, wind and rain are great for your body and mind. Connecting with nature, even in this way, will help you get away from technology and gadgets. Plus, if you enjoy gardening, this is a great opportunity to get outside and “get active.”
#3: Walk. One of the best exercises you can do, since it is easy to adapt and adjust to your physical condition, is walking. Walking is the best way to relieve the stress of everyday life. Put on headphones and music. Even if you can't go outside, you can walk somewhere inside your house. It sounds strange, but it is a pretty good and beneficial exercise, especially if you have stairs.
#4: Get up from your bed or couch every hour. Move more so that you are alert and have more energy. Most smartwatches and devices have a feature that reminds you to move every hour, in case you have been sitting still for a long time. So use this feature to your advantage. Don't sit for long hours in front of your TV or computer. Get up, stretch, and enjoy your favorite beverage while looking out the window.
#5: Spend time with your pets. Dogs need walks, cats need your constant attention, in general all pets need some time with you. So take advantage of the “remote” situation to do nice and fun things with them. The only thing that is certain is that you and they will both enjoy it, while they will make you feel much better and forget about anything that is worrying you.
#6: Try online yoga. With the help of the Internet, you have the opportunity, even without direct access to a gym, to do yoga online, either in the form of regular classes, as you would do in group programs at the gym, or with videos. The best exercises are those that emphasize breathing, as they eliminate stress and tension from both your body and your mind.
#7: Convict Conditioning. This is an interesting alternative for those of you who need a good workout but the gym is closed. Convict Conditioning is a book written by Paul Wade that consists of a series of physical exercises that, as the title suggests, can be done by prisoners. You need minimal equipment and a small space, and although the exercises may seem simple, they are actually not. As you can imagine, this particular idea has now developed beyond the book as there are countless YouTube channels dedicated to training.
These were some tips regarding how you can take advantage of the quarantine period by doing things that under other circumstances you wouldn't have time to do, which will benefit you both mentally and physically, giving you energy and well‑being, while at the same time helping you stay healthy and “in shape” so you can return to normalcy and your rhythms. Moreover, through this trial, you may discover things and hobbies you enjoy and may even adopt them when you return to your routine. The most important thing, however, is that you will realize that even the most “small”, seemingly, things are ultimately the most important.
