5 Suggestions for Staying ACTIVE at Home – A Short HOW-TO Guide

Social isolation measures require people around the world to stay at home. In this situation, how can people stay active at home? How can they maintain their physical and mental well-being while considering themselves and others? You can use our short how-to guide for some ideas.

Staying physically active is very important for remaining healthy, both physically and mentally. Studies have shown that staying active can work wonders for keeping almost every part of the body in good condition and can even improve a person's mood.

As part of measures to control the global outbreak, access to gyms, wellness studios, public swimming pools and even parks has been restricted for residents of many countries.

In many places, including our country, regulations rightly prevent people from leaving their homes except to shop at supermarkets.

In this context, staying active and fit may seem more daunting than ever, but there are several good ways to avoid inactivity even when you have to stay at home.

1. Light Calisthenics

Calisthenics is a form of exercise that uses a person's body weight to work major muscle groups. It includes exercises such as squats, sit-ups, push-ups, planks and push-ups, which people can do almost anywhere.

Research has suggested that calisthenics can offer many benefits, both for health and for individuals with underlying health conditions. For example, people who want to prevent a decline in skeletal muscle volume, people with type 2 diabetes, people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and healthy adults who want to improve their posture and body strength may benefit.

You can watch programs that encourage activity in the morning, or open an online video yourself and do the movements along with it. There are also thousands of fitness instructors online from whom you can learn the movements we now regard as light exercise.

2. Cardio at Home

Cardiovascular exercise, or cardio for short, which is synonymous with aerobic exercise, works by increasing a person's heart rate. Examples of cardio exercises include running in place and skipping rope.

According to various studies, cardio can help a person lose weight, maintain brain function and keep cholesterol levels under control.

Once again, many online resources can help you find a home-based cardio workout. There are also many other online videos showing ideas for cardio exercises at home. The best option will depend on a person's fitness level and what they hope to achieve.

3. Pilates at Home

Pilates, which has become increasingly popular over the past few decades, is a method of physical training that can improve body strength as well as balance and posture. Physical trainer Joseph Pilates originally developed the practice in the early 20th century.

Research has confirmed that Pilates can improve muscle endurance and flexibility when practiced regularly. Other studies have shown that Pilates may help manage chronic lower back pain and even improve sleep quality in some people.

People can do Pilates exercises at home, and there are many online videos offering specific routines to achieve particular goals, such as improving back pain.

4. Yoga

Yoga can be a good option for staying active and flexible. There are many different types of yoga, each with a different level of intensity and difficulty. Anecdotally, yoga can help improve a person's well-being in many ways, and recent research appears to support such individual reports.

Studies show that the benefits of yoga include managing back pain, relieving stress and anxiety, and improving a person's mood.

5. Enjoyable (and Useful) Activities at Home

It is not always necessary to follow a structured exercise routine to stay active. Research has shown that even simply ‘avoiding inactivity’ can make a difference.

One study suggested that as little as 10 minutes of leisure activity a week – such as having a garden in your living room or dancing – was associated with a reduced risk of early death.

Therefore, alongside an invigorating morning workout and a relaxing yoga session before bed, it may be just as healthy to live in the moment by planting some coriander in your kitchen garden or playing games indoors, on your own or with your family.

Bonus: Doing regular housework and preparing healthy meals can offer health benefits. Some researchers have suggested that older men may be in poorer health partly because they do less housework than women.

Now is the time to take part in all those activities on which we have not spent enough time, including dusting the bookshelves. Even a little will contribute to our well-being, improve our mood and help us get through these days.

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