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Homebody: How To Keep an Active Body and Mind at Home

By Sara Butler

Staying Active While at Home

I don’t know about you, but I’ve been spending a lot of time at home lately. More than usual. This has left me, and I’m sure many others from what I gather through social media, with a distinct problem: How can you stay fit (and sane!) at home?

Let’s face it, there’s only so much binge-watching you can do, and your cupboard only has so many goldfish crackers to eat. And you’ve exhausted all news sources on Tom Brady going to Tampa Bay. No offense to Tampa Bay, but seriously, Tampa Bay?! You need to do something, right? Well, don’t worry! At The Joint Chiropractic, we’ve got a few simple and easy ideas that can help keep you occupied and fit as you slowly pass the days while social distancing at home.

You Need a Routine

Normal routines are totally out the window right now, as your children like to remind you roughly 4,782 times per hour. What’s important right now is to create a new routine that creates active alternatives for you.

Even though you can sleep late to your heart’s content, resist the urge. It’s essential to your sleep health to go to bed at about the same time and get up around the same time too. Make yourself a healthy breakfast (sans goldfish crackers), have a shower, and find a groove that you can cling to in order to stay positive. Putting on a different pair of pants each day might also raise your spirits. It’s the little things.

Stretch

You’re not at the office right now where you have set a reminder to get up and move around at least once per hour (you do that, right?), but that doesn’t mean you should leave the practice behind. Set a reminder on your phone to get up and move every single hour you’re awake. This can help you to maintain circulation and avoid stiff joints and muscles.

Now would also be a great time to start practicing some daily stretching or yoga. Do a little research and find a yoga routine that suits your activity level and goals. It’s better to stretch a little than to sit around all day, after all.

If you’re not too keen on yoga, there are a few reasons to consider it. Primarily, there’s plenty of evidence that shows practicing yoga regularly can reduce your risk factors for heart disease as well as improve the health of your heart. And a little zen never hurt anyone going through a bit of a stressful situation -- such as your kids arguing for the millionth time about whose turn it is on the Nintendo.

Adopt a Home Workout

Even if you don’t have a piece of workout equipment at home, you can create a home workout that helps to keep you fit. Just go on YouTube and you can find a variety of workouts totally free, all tailored to different ages and abilities. Simply put it up on your computer or television, grab a water bottle, and get moving. However, it’s probably best to start with something low impact for the beginning and slowly work your way up.

Go With Bodyweight Exercise

If online workouts aren’t for you, you hate hobbies, and you’re not into the Rocky-style Siberian training montage, then now is the time to explore bodyweight workouts. After all, anyone can do a plank or a squat!

Do three or four rounds of eight or so squats, planks, lunges, or press-ups for about 20 minutes. If you can work in two to three 20-minute bodyweight workouts during the day, then you’re off to a good start!

Find an Active Hobby

Hobbies have never been more important, especially hobbies that help you move a little -- no matter how small that movement may be. For example, knitting, while made up of very small movements, is great for dexterity and arthritis. Plus, you’ve got about eight months to start on all those hand-knitted holiday gifts for everyone you’ve ever met.

If knitting isn’t your jam, then you can try:

  • Pottery
  • Sewing
  • Cross-stitching
  • Crocheting
  • Pickling
  • Baking
  • Scrapbooking
  • Furniture restoration
  • Puzzles
  • Music making
  • Candle making (you never know when they might come in handy)

Staying at home can feel daunting, but it’s an opportunity to explore things you may not have had the time for previously. Seize the day and make sure that you don’t let your focus on health and wellness slip by. And please, change out of your PJs.

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