You understand the seriousness of it. You take all the precautions. Now the walls of your home are closing in on you. You used to be active, physically and mentally. Now you are afraid you are turning into a couch potato but how can you maintain an exercise program at home?
First of all, remember at this stressful and uncertain time when your normal routines have been turned upside down, exercise can improve your mental health and mood. During exercise, your body releases chemicals that can improve your mood and make you feel more relaxed. This can help you deal with stress, anxiety and reduce your risk of depression.
The three most important types of exercise are:
- Aerobic exercise, brisk walking, running, swimming, cycling, dancing.
Walk around your house, make a solo walk or run around your neighborhood. Cycle anywhere, put on the classic oldies and dance with your spouse or dance by yourself.
2. Strength training, done with weights. If you have no weights at home, you can lift anything from bags of sugar to old tires.
If you have ever had physical therapy you may have resistance bands at home for strengthening exercises (see other side).
Use your body weight with pushups, lunges & squats
3.Flexibility for stretching and balance include simple stretches (see other side) and Tai Chi and Yoga
You can order any equipment you need online or by calling a sporting goods store.
Exercise routines, from intense to gentle to Tai Chi and Yoga, including chair yoga can be found online at www.youtube.com
Many gyms are providing exercise programs online.
Apps for exercise can found at the app store on your phone.
Find exercises you enjoy. If you do something that hurts stop doing it or modify it: decrease weight, slow down, decrease repetitions, do stretching and yoga sitting or supported by a chair.
