I am sure everyone has read loads of articles on how to stay healthy during lockdown. Perhaps at the beginning you were really disciplined but now that is fatiguing? Or maybe things were too overwhelming at the start but this way of life is becoming the new normal?
Wherever you are at, this is just a reminder on how important it is for us to move our body during the day. Not just exercise, but also getting movement through the day.
Most of us already know that exercise – even mild to moderate exercise – can help improve our mood and quality of sleep as well as boost our immune system and cognitive function.
But just exercising once during the day is not enough if we are sitting all day or most of the day. Some studies suggest that sitting for six hours or more in a day can be very detrimental to our health even if we work out for an hour a day.
But with all the online meetings you have, how can you manage this? Below are a few tips.
Don’t sit for more than an hour at a time
- Set a timer on your phone to remind yourself, and whenever the alarm goes off, stand up. Walk around your house and maybe do a quick stretch. If you are on a call, provided you are not presenting, stand up anyway. Maybe the whole team can take a pause and you can all do a quick movement exercise together, or just let everyone have a quick break. Even one minute will provide value.
Try a standing desk
- Make your own standing desk at home using a high counter top or whatever you can find. If you are not used to a standing desk, don’t try to stand all day – just use it for a short time here and there to mix things up.
Go for a walk
- If you are allowed, go for a walk each day for at least 30 minutes – but more is even better. If you can go out for exercise more than once in a day, break up your walk into 2-3 shorter walks scheduled through the day.
Try online exercise classes
- Many gyms and fitness studios are giving online classes. If you have not tried this yet, check it out! I am offering yoga classes each week via Instagram live. You can check out my schedule on Instagram @morrowhealth.
Movement and exercise are not the only things important for our overall health, but it can do wonders for our mental and physical well being during this time.
I wish you all a health and happiness!
