More than anything, COVID-19 has taught us the importance of strengthening one’s immune system, and one of the best ways to do this is through exercise. However, it hasn’t always been easy to maintain an active lifestyle amid the pandemic. And with most being stuck at home while hundreds of gyms and fitness spaces had to close their doors, getting a good workout in may be a more elusive goal than ever.
But if you’re striving to have an active lifestyle despite all this, good on you! Here are a few simple tips to get you started.
Make time for exercise
“I don’t have enough time” is one of the top excuses we hear against exercise. But even if you have a jam-packed schedule, it’s not impossible to put it on your to-do list.
According to this guide from Forbes, one thing that can help is deciding on a workout schedule and doing your best to stick to it, no matter what. Try making time by waking up half an hour earlier than normal, or by taking an exercise break from work.
If you can’t find enough time to do a full routine, however, try spreading your workouts throughout the day. Even simple tasks like going up and down the stairs a few times, or doing lunges or desk push-ups at your own desk, can go a long way. Essentially, treat working out as a priority rather than something optional.
Get creative with workouts
You can still get a good workout without going to the gym by investing in equipment such as your own treadmill and exercise bike, as well as dumbbells, resistance bands, and weighted jump ropes. If you’re on a budget, though, this list proves that you can still build strength in your legs, core, and upper body using household items, or even with just your own body weight.
However, remember that you’re exercising at home and not the gym, so lower your expectations of what your workouts should be like. What’s important is you’re able to do the exercises you want.
Go outside
Exercising indoors is definitely a safe option, not only because there’s no risk of coming into contact with the virus, but also because you don’t have to deal with bad weather and pollution. However, don’t disregard the outdoors completely. By providing fresh air and a change of scenery, exercising outdoors can give you an extra mood boost, as well.
Thankfully, Baguio is known as the City of Pines for a reason: Dotted with crisp pockets of green, the Summer Capital is surely a paradise for joggers. There are a wealth of picturesque locations for you to try out. From Camp John Hay and the tree-lined paths surrounding Burnham Lake, to the serenity of Wright Park and the campus roads of Benguet State University — Baguio is definitely the place to get a healthy dose of the outdoors.
However, if you’re going to be around a large group of people, such as when jogging around the block or even joining a group class, it’s still important to wear a mask. For this purpose, this article from PrettyMe explains that reusable sports masks are preferable, as they provide protection and breathability while also being the more economical and eco-friendly choice. After all, you’ll only need to buy a few durable ones to last you a long time.
Move as much as you can
Whether you’re working from home or binge-watching your favorite K-Drama, the pandemic may find you sitting down for hours at a time. Doing so can hurt your health in the long run by increasing your risk for comorbidities like diabetes and high blood pressure.
So no matter what you’re doing, make sure to incorporate as much movement as possible. Pace back and forth during calls, dance in front of the microwave, and stand up to stretch once in a while, especially when sitting starts feeling uncomfortable.
Undoubtedly, putting more effort into being active amid the pandemic will be difficult. But by taking things at a reasonable pace, you can get up and about again in no time.
