Staying fit and healthy can seem easy when you get into the right routines. When exercise becomes a habit, it’s much easier to stick to. The same goes for healthy eating and a good sleep pattern. When we lose those helpful routines, things become much more difficult.
At the moment, most of our regular routines have been blown out of the water. You might be spending most of your time at home, in lockdown, trying to stop the spread of coronavirus. You might be self-isolating, or at least doing your best to avoid contact with other people.
Even if you are leaving your home, your gym might be closed to the public. You might not be able to spend time with your friends or eat in your favorite restaurants. You might also be finding that you are falling into bad habits. You might have stopped exercising altogether, and you are bound to be treating yourself to more comfort food than normal.
We’re living through a challenging time, and it’s absolutely fine to go easy on yourself. You certainly don’t have to stick to all of those fitness targets and hit your PBs. But, putting some effort into taking care of your health and fitness could improve your mood, and help this to be a more enjoyable experience. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the ways that you can stay fit and healthy through the lockdown.
Protect Your Mental Health
Your mental health might be really struggling, and many of us are feeling anxious and worried about the future. Here are some of the things that you can do to protect your mental health and improve your mood.
Keep in Touch with Friends and Family
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One of the worst things about the current situation is that we can’t see the people that we love. But, that doesn’t mean that you can’t keep in touch. Make regular video chat dates with all of your family and friends, and check in often. It’s also a great time to catch up with people that you might not have spoken to for a while.
Limit Your News Intake
The news is a hard thing to watch right now. It can also be confusing as different stations and channels report different stories and slants. It can be very overwhelming, and it’s easy to get upset.
So, limit your news intake. Find a source that you trust, and check for new reports once a day. You might find that it also helps your mental health to limit your time on social media.
Treat Yourself
Treating yourself is powerful. If money is tight, you can save money on your treats with NetVoucherCodes.co.uk, or focus on cheaper, or free treats, like an hour in a bubble bath or an afternoon in your garden reading a good book. If you can, though, buy yourself a small gift now and then, just because you want something. It can help you to feel better, and make you smile. It might seem a little shallow, but it really can help.
Talk About Other Things
If coronavirus is all that you have talked about for weeks, it might be time for a change. It’s hard to talk about other things when we’re not going out, and there isn’t much going on, so perhaps consider joining an online reading group, or trying a new hobby.
Keeping Fit at Home
If you are a frequent gym-goer, you might be finding the lack of exercise hard to bear, and it could be hurting your mental health as well as your fitness levels. Let’s take a look at some of the things that you can do to keep fit.
Try Home Workouts
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Home workouts are fabulous, and nowadays there are so many on YouTube that there really is something for everyone. If you are generally hit, try an intense HITT workout or something with weights if you have them. If you are new to exercise, try beginners classes instead.
Get Some Sleep
Sleep will make it far easier to exercise and help you to stay motivated. Try to stick to a sleeping pattern, even if you no longer need to set your alarm for work.
Go for a Walk If It Is Safe
If it is safe to do so, and you aren’t under extreme restrictions, going for a short walk or run in the fresh air is a great way to burn calories and get your heart beating faster.
Practice Yoga
Yoga is a great thing to try in these times. It can help to reduce stress and tension, boost your mood, improve your overall health, and help you to sleep. It’s also an ideal exercise to practice at home. Try short, daily sessions for the best effects.
Take Care Of Your Physical Health
Of course, your physical health is going to be a top consideration right now, as it should be. One of the best ways to protect yourself from coronavirus, as well as other illnesses, is washing your hands and practicing good hygiene, even when you are spending most of your time at home. But that isn’t all that you can do to boost your health.
Eat Well
Your diet is essential to your health and fitness, and a diet rich in vitamins and minerals can give you a big boost. That doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy treats, but try to make them a part of a healthy and balanced diet, with lots of fruit and veg and a good water intake.
Don’t Be Afraid of the Doctor
If you need to see the doctor, you still can. Social distancing doesn’t mean staying away from the doctor if you are ill or worried about symptoms. Remember, you can still become unwell in other ways. However, your doctor may ask that you call them for a chat before going into surgery, so check their policies before leaving your home.
Taking care of yourself through a challenging and uncertain time can be tough, but it is worth it. Looking after your physical and mental health will ensure that you stay healthy and that you come out of lockdown happy and ready to go.
