Cooped up? Approaches to at-home exercise
Abstract
In the present COVID-19 pandemic, people are being asked to severely limit their movements outside the home, with exercise classes, group runs and so on all banned. At the extreme is total self-isolation in the home. Physical activity is beneficial for both physical and mental health. These restrictions may be extremely challenging mentally, and particularly for people who are used to a high level of physical activity, whether specifically undertaking exercise or simply as part of their daily life and job. For those who are less active, it can be hard to know where to start. This article provides suggestions for physical activities that can be carried out at home, without needing special equipment.
Feeling cooped up, cabin fever, depression setting in or just bored? If you are feeling any of these things due to social distancing or self-isolation, or even isolation due to illness, then exercise is a really good way to help combat these feelings. It may be just what you need to help you feel that little bit better within yourself, particularly if you are usually active, whether as part of your job or otherwise.
Physical activity is beneficial to health in a lot of different ways; there are physiological benefits that include cardiovascular efficiency, improved sleep, stability of bone and joints and reduction in body fat. There are also psychological benefits such as improved self-esteem, reduced anxiety, stress and depression.
When you are cooped up at home and cannot go outside, it is even more important for your mental health and well-being to move around, whether it is just a walk to look out of the window, a 5-minute walk or jog up and down the stairs or hallway, some basic exercises, or even a 15-minute high intensity interval training (HIIT) session in your front room or bedroom, all of these things may help.
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