How to Stay Physically Fit While Staying Home

Keeping fit while being stuck at home can be challenging. The temptation to binge on both snacks and Netflix is too great when there's nothing much to do. Here are some tips to keep your immune systems strong and stay physically fit even while staying home.

Be resourceful and go online.

There are tons of online information available for single equipment or zero-equipment exercises.  Buy a jump rope, practice yoga, dance to some music, or join an aerobic group exercise. Grab some wrist and ankle weights from Gym Gal to add some resistance while working out or even doing chores.

For those who want a more challenging workout, HIIT (high-intensity interval training) videos are easily accessible. Those who want to start slow can opt for low-impact cardio workouts like Walk at Home, and gentle stretching exercises such as tai chi and Yi Jin Jing. 

Soak up some sun.

Sunlight improves your sleep, strengthens your immune system, fights off depression, and gives you your much needed dose of Vitamin D. 

There are also differing opinions on the best time to get some sun exposure. Some say early morning sunlight is best, while a research paper by Johan Moan, Arne Dahlback, Alina Carmen Porojnicu says that the best time is noon. Consult with your doctor on which is better, and don’t forget to slather on some sunscreen to protect your skin.  

Find an exercise buddy.

Who says that you can’t have an exercise buddy while at home? Agree to an exercise schedule and diet plan with a friend. You don’t need to have the same routine, and you don’t even have to do it together at the same time.  What matters is that you keep yourselves accountable. If you want to go a step further, you can enroll in the same online exercise class and have some fun together! Having activities on your calendar to look forward to can make quarantine more bearable. 

Grow your own vegetables.

Organic vegetables can be costly. You would also need to go out more often if you want them fresh. To save you the expense and cost, try growing your own. Seeds packs can be bought online and planted in your home garden or in pots.

There are also vegetables that you can keep on regrowing such as basil, romaine lettuce, garlic, ginger, carrots, and green onion. Next time you purchase these veggies, don’t throw them away. Most of them regrow when placed in a bowl with a small amount of water. You’ll have healthy produce at no cost in no time! 

Make it a habit to be healthy.

A habit is a practice that’s hard to give up. They also take time to form. Unfortunately, many of us have built unhealthy habits over time. We eat junk, overwork, and just ignore our physical health, thinking we can always make up for it someday. 

Take baby steps by exercising 15-20 minutes, at least three times per week, then gradually build it up to 30 minutes to an hour. You can do it in the morning, before lunch, or after work. The important thing is consistency.  

While keeping fit at home can be somewhat difficult when you first start out, it’s not impossible. You just need to get up and put in the work until it becomes a habit. Good health is priceless. Try these tips this week!