The outbreak of the Coronavirus has shut down most of the country. With social distancing, people are being asked to stay home and keep from coming into physical contact with others at this time. While this is the perfect opportunity to catch up on all of your neglected Netflix shows and read the books that have accumulated dust on your shelves, it is also essential to keep moving and being active at this time. Here are seven ways that you can keep your body moving while still practicing social distancing.
- Take a walk
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I have found that one of the perks of social distancing and the need to stay home is that I now have more time on my hands. This has opened up the opportunity for me to take walks outside and enjoy the nature that I wouldn’t usually get to see while I was in the library or the classroom. Sometimes I walk alone, or sometimes my mom and sisters and will join me. I have found that this is an excellent way for me to stretch my legs and get some fresh air, especially after a few hours in a Zoom classroom.
- YouTube workout videos
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If you’ve ever ventured outside of the fashion and makeup videos on the homepage of your YouTube screen, you might have found the many guided workout videos available. My personal favorites are the yoga, Pilates and barre videos. Even though I don’t usually do these types of workouts in the gym, I like the opportunity to do something different at home.
These videos have also been a great way for me to bond with my younger sister while I’m home. Neither one of us does yoga regularly. So, it was fun for us to challenge ourselves with the different stretches and videos.
- At home weighted workouts
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Even though my parents have been moving around since before I was born, they have brought the same weight set with them to every state they have lived in. Usually, the weights just sit in our spare room and get no use, but our new-found time at home has given them new life. Since coming back from college, my brother and I have been using the free weights to do our arm workouts. We have also used them to enhance our ab and leg routines. If you are someone who has free weights at home that don’t usually get any use, this is the perfect time to break them out. They can take a normal floor workout routine and make it more challenging to give you the same intensity you could find at the gym.
- Swim laps in your home pool
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With the heat beginning to rise and the sun shining brighter every day, a pool workout may be just the thing you need if you have one at home. My parents are constantly complaining that we don’t use our pool enough. But, at-home workouts have given me inspiration to hit the water. Swimming laps in the pool is a great way to incorporate cardio exercise into your at home workout. Plus, it lets you cool off and get a tan while burning calories and moving your body.
- Take a bike ride
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When I was younger, my family used to go on bike rides all of the time. However, I don’t think I had ridden my bike since I was 12 years old. When I finally decided I wanted to ride it after being home for a few days, the tires were flat. With some air and WD-40, I got it moving again. The bike ride was a great way for me to get out of the house while still practicing social distancing and staying away from others. The quick ride I took around my neighborhood also proved to be a great leg workout.
- Play with your dog outside
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A few months ago, my family got a new puppy, and she has been full of energy. One of the most fun ways I have found to stay active is to take her outside and play some old-fashioned fetch. Because she is so young, she gets distracted by things easily. So, it has been fun to throw the ball and then chase after it with her. Sometimes my family even likes to just run around the yard and have her chase us. The extra time outside has been a great way for us to bond with our new furry friend, and it has given me some extra vitamin D from the sun.
- Dance at home with Just Dance or TikTok
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Just Dance has always been one of my favorite video games. The choreographed moves to popular music have proven to be a great way to break a sweat without leaving the house. Plus, with the Wii and Xbox formatting, it was made to be a competitive game, meaning my whole family can get involved. Another great way to bust some moves while staying home is with TikTok. While I have yet to cave and download the app, by brother and sister have. We have had a great time with them teaching me the dances and my parents laughing at us from the kitchen.
With all of the streaming sites putting out new movies and shows during this time, it can be easy to grab your fuzzy blanket and cuddle up with your laptop or TV for the day. But, staying active is an important part of maintaining a healthy mindset. By staying moving and keeping positive, you can keep yourself occupied and happy in our new social environment.