How to Stay Active at Home During Lock Down

You might probably be wondering how you are going to spend the next couple of weeks since all activities in all countries are on total lock down. The self isolation procedures should not be a means to accumulate more fat while staying in the house doing nothing. Contrary to what many people think self isolation is, self-isolation does not mean sitting down at home all day for weeks.  In this post, I have come up with some tips to keep you active and healthy all through the isolation period. Rather than allow the concept of self isolation get into your head, why not seize the opportunity to try out new at-home workouts you have never had the chance to try before because of your normal day to day schedules?

There are about 6 Tips on how to stay Active during Self Isolation in this post, following these tips will go a long way in making your self isolation period a memorable one.

1. STRETCH IN THE LIVING ROOM

Health practitioners have advised that steady stretching can help revive stiff bones and maintain a healthy blood circulation. You can decide to set aside some thirty minutes to one hour per day to devote yourself into Yoga. You should know that there are different types pf Yoga, so whichever style it is that suits you, you can get instructors on YouTube.

Practicing Yoga can help improve the health of your heart dramatically, and it also reduces the risk of heart diseases.

1. TRY AN HOME WORKOUT

It is no news anywhere that exercise is good for the body, but what you might not know is that physical activity can boost self-esteem, mood, sleep quality and energy, as well as reducing your risk of stress, depression, dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

1. STICK TO AN ACTIVE ROUTINE

As it is that your normal day to da routine cannot be carried out again, you need to create alternative routines that keeps you active. No matter how tempting it is for you to remain in bed each morning, make sure you stick to your new found routine and follow it to the letter.

1. MAINTAIN HOBBIES THAT KEEPS YOU GOING

It is an entirely good thing to keep have hobbies and keep them. There are simple exercises you can train your mind to like, and these can become your hobbies.

For example;

• Baking
• Reading
• Writing
• Knitting
• Making Music
• Sewing
• Embroidery
• Pickling
• Pottery
• Origami
• Restoring Furniture
• Crocheting
• Scrapbooking, etc.

1. PRACTICE SIMPLE LIFTING EXERCISES

Strength trainings do not necessarily involve throwing around heavy weights around the gym. Sometimes, the makeshift weights we make at home can also do a very good job on bodies. Train your legs by using them to raise your makeshift weights while you sit down on a sofa, it is essential to make sure that the legs remain working even though we are not allowed the liberty of walking around.

Follow this simple tip if you still find it difficult to practice mild lifting exercises

With both the leg weights and arm exercises, try doing each move ten times, then rest for 30 seconds, and repeat four times. You’ll maintain important leg and arm strength you can do it from the comfort of your sofa.

1. UP YOUR BODYWEIGHT WORKOUT

If you are the type that can’t deal with the thoughts of doing simple lifting exercises- the heavyweight ones, then you might want improvise and bring whatever bodyweight materials you can bring inside your house. Also, you can decide to add squatting, planks and sit ups in front of your Tv on your sofa. You need to know that you are expected by your body to add a few more rounds to your workouts to be able to burn enough fats to match the normal amounts burned during a normal day.

Tips

 

Squat

• Stand with your feet hip width apart and head held high.
• Put your hands out in front of you, keeping your shoulders rolled backwards and your scapula pulled down. Keeping your back straight, lower your glutes towards the floor.
• When you reach hip level, pause, squeeze your glutes and return to your standing position. Repeat.

 

Plank

• Lie on the floor with your hands clasped together. With only your arms and toes on the floor, hold a straight plank position for as long as you can—normally between 30 seconds and two minutes.
• Be careful not to arch your back and make sure to engage your abdominal and core muscles here so as not to overcompensate and injure your back. Repeat.

Sit Up

• Sit on the floor with your legs out straight in front of you and feet flat on the floor, with your knees slightly bent upwards.
• With your hands by your sides or on your temple, lower your body down onto the floor and, engaging your abdominal and core muscles, raise your bodyweight back up to your knees.
• Be careful here not to strain your neck or back. Repeat.

Lunge

• Stand in a split position, with one foot in front of you and one behind you, both feet flat on the floor.

• With your hands on your hips, should you need extra balance, lower the back knee towards the ground in a right angle.

• Squeeze your glutes as you lower slowly, and then, moving strongly, push your knee back up to your original position. Repeat.

Press Up

• Start in a similar position to a plank, body facing the floor, but with your hands wider apart and at a right angle with your body.
• Slowly lower your chest towards the floor whilst ensuring your abdominal muscles and core are engaged and your spine is held neutrally.
• Using your bicep (or upper arm) muscles, push your body back up to your starting position. Repeat.

 

And lastly, it is important to note that taking the stairs can actually go a long way in making you healthy. You can decide to choose walk partners; it is not a must that your partner should be where you are as you can FaceTime them. This will be more fun to you, and adds immense value to your health.