We know exercise is so good for us, but if all the guidelines and pressure to work out feels pretty overwhelming right now, you’re not alone!
So how can we stay active during #covid-19 to look after our physical and mental wellbeing?
- Exercise has a whole bunch of benefits including:
- Boosting mood
- Reducing tiredness
- Helping the body fight disease
- Boosting quality of life
- Linked with more diverse range of gut bacteria (which is a good thing!)
And remember, any movement is good movement.
Dr Katrin Hulme, Health Psychologist at KCL, says it’s super important to take a step back and think about ourselves as individuals, then make a plan to fit into our own lives and the situation we’re in – thinking about what, where, when and why.
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What do you enjoy doing (e.g. weight-based, cardio)? What’s your starting point (beginner or do you exercise regularly)? Do you want to try something new? There are so many videos and ideas online. Dr Katrin recommends anything that gets you moving is beneficial, whether it’s family PE with Joe Wicks @thebodycoach, dancing in the kitchen or maybe it’s high-intensity housework.
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Where can you exercise? Think about the space you have – do you need something indoors? Can you get outside once a day?
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When works for you? Do you feel your best in the morning or evening, or maybe you want to exercise at lunch for a break in the day? Do you have family/work commitments to consider? Scheduling an activity can really help to get you started.
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Why does it matter to you? Do you want to increase overall fitness, boost your mood and feel better? Or maybe get stronger or to relax?
What’s right for you depends on your own circumstances – particularly if you’re starting from scratch or recovering from an illness, slow and steady is best. This lets your body adapt and get fitter in a sustainable way that lasts.
