How to stay healthy and active while at home
Staying at home and keeping physical distancing is the best thing we can do right now, but we all agree that this has not been the easiest task some days.
Two of the things that will help you go through this time are: eating well and exercising. Not sure how to do that? Here are some tips for you:
Go for walks
As long as you maintain physical distancing, you should take some time to exercise. Going for a walk is a great way to clear your head and get some fresh air.
“We know the benefits of exercise. Exercise causes all sorts of positive chemicals to be released into the body and we are designed to move, we are not designed to sit down all the time”, says Wayne Boucher, who was the Fitness and Wellness coordinator at Algonquin College for over 15 years.
Do body weight work out
There are tons of body weight exercise programs available online, and 20 to 30 minutes of exercise will get some sweat going and will make you feel revigorated!
Boucher says that body weight exercises are also safer to try if you have not been working out lately.
“Because we are working with our own bodies, there is very little risk of injuries and we do what we can. Everybody has a different fitness level. Somebody may not be able to do 100 body weight squats in a setting, but they might be able to do 10 today, 11 tomorrow, 12 the next day.”
Cook a healthy meal
Eat as healthy as you can and if you have fresh vegetables at home, take the time to make your lunch or dinner and even try a new recipe.
“Students can make fabulous inexpensive food if they are cooking at home,” says the coordinator of the Food and Nutrition Management program at Algonquin, Jane Pearl.
Check out this recipe from one of Algonquin’s students who is in the culinary management program.
Stay connected (virtually)
You have to keep physical distancing, but there are still many ways you can be connected to your friends and family over the internet! It is important for your mental health to take time to socialize, even online.
You can also take time to call that friend of family member you have not seen for a while because of your busy schedule!
