COVID-19 has taken the entire world including our nation by storm. People are much more worried
about their health, now more than ever. We have been resting in our homes for more than a month
now. You have to agree that your physical activity has been reduced by a great deal. You might be aware
of the fact that our diet, health and physical activity are interlinked. Exercising is very important to keep
both our mental and physical health at check. In times like these, it becomes all the way more
important.
At times like these, you might not be able to go to the gym, or go outside to exercise, but the least you
can do is exercise at home, even take a walk everyday on the terrace. Keep a look on the best health
blogs for healthy breakfast ideas, or power yoga postures. There is so much to do that you might feel
lost or confused, and could be looking out for the best health blogs. This article is what you need to read
to know how to stay fit, and healthy in this lockdown and self-isolation period. You wouldn’t want to
become lazier or stock more belly fat. So, here is how you can stay fit in times of COVID-19. Keep
reading!
Exercises You Can Do At Home
You need to devote at least 2 hours or so every week to moderate to vigorous intensity exercises, every
week, as per WHO. In addition to that, you need to strengthen your muscles too by exercising for 2 or
more days every week.
Home-based Exercises
Sit-ups
Press-ups
Hollow Body Hold (Strengthens your Arms)
Planks, like 1-Arm Plant (Strengthens your muscles)
Push-ups (To build strength)
Dynamic high-knees
These are home-based exercises that make use of your body weight. Try and do some such bodyweight
sessions every week. Devote a particular time of the day to it. Aim for the following:
Try to do 2 to 4 sets of every exercise with 8 to 15 repetitions of each.
The resting period between these sets should be 2 to 3 minutes.
Stair climbing
This is an excellent way to improve your physical strength and stay fit. Not only will it strengthen your
calves, shin, and overall leg muscles, but it will also reduce your belly fat. Just aim for three sets of 20
second fast stair climbing every day. That, on its own will improve your fitness level within 6 weeks. You
can do this with your apartment stairs. So, from tomorrow avoid the elevators and say hello to the
stairs.
Dance your way through isolation
Did you know that dance is an awesome way to protect your heart? Not only is it enjoyable but it helps
you to stay fit as well. Dancing involve moderate or even vigorous level of physical activity. It also is
equivalent to high-intensity interval training. Besides, dancing has some mental health benefits as well.
It will help you deal with the solitude arising due to COVID-19’s self-isolation.
Nutrition Is Very Important
All the stress surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic has led to people buying a lot of rice and pulses, and
also, disruptions in supply of food. Do not go for ready meals and processed foods. That would just cut
back on your fitness regime and decrease your immunity. You need to come up with nutritious diet,
healthy breakfast ideas, and overall healthy eating to build immunity and support your body’s growth.
Here are 5 tips to keep your eating habits in check in this lockdown period:
Increase your fruit and vegetable intake. Buy fresh and sturdy vegetables whenever you get hold
of them. Chop them and store them in your refrigerator, they can last long like that.
Build up healthy snacking habits. Swap in chicken, curd, eggs, fruits and dried fruits like nuts,
almonds, cashews, raisins, curd, eggs, chopped fruits, etc. as snack options instead of biscuits,
chips, sweets, etc.
Avoid the consumption of processed foods.
Don’t eat too much in the isolation period due to boredom. Avoid stress eating.
Keep sipping water throughout the day
Do not Underestimate The Power of Yoga
Yoga is a natural way to stay fit and surprisingly reduce belly fat, without having to step outside. Power
yoga has amazing health benefits. Some of them are improving heart health, boosting immunity,
reducing belly fat, improving mental health, and more. Mental health is just as important as physical
health, if not more and power yoga will help you with both.
Yoga for beginners could seem scary but trust me, it’s not. Here are some yoga postures that will keep
your health in check. These postures work great as yoga for beginners as well:
Pranayama (takes away stress and improves immunity)
Matsyasana (Fish posture)
Sukhasana
Uttanasana (Forward fold position)
Ardha Matsyendrasana
Viparita Karani (Legs up against the wall)