The world is in the midst of a global pandemic unlike anything anyone has seen in generations. This is understandably causing many of us to feel stressed and out of sorts. With so much uncertainty, it is more important than ever to take care of ourselves and our loved ones.

This week, we’d like to focus on ways you can stay active while social distancing at home. Doing so is not only vital to maintaining your strength and physical health, but also helps us to manage stress and care for our mental well-being.

• Get in the habit of walking. Going for walks is a wonderful way to get moving without stressing your joints. Assuming you live somewhere that you can safely maintain a distance of at least six feet from others, getting out for a 30-minute walk each day will get your heart rate up and allow you to bask in some fresh air.
• Use what you have. Most of us don’t have a fully equipped gym space at home, but just about anything you own can be used to exercise in some way. For example, hold a thick heavy book in your hands and then do some squats, and just like that, you’ve added weight without needing dumbbells.
• Use online resources. These days, all you really need is an internet connection to discover an entire world of fitness videos, blogs, articles, and even chat groups. Apps such as Strava allow you to connect with friends and share exercise milestones, like walking 10 miles in one week.
• Stretch every day. Chances are most of us are spending a bit more time sitting and laying in sedentary positions at the moment. This can cause muscle aches and tweaks, so it’s important to make sure you are stretching when you can. Until it becomes a habit, we recommend spending at least 10 - 15 minutes after your daily walk, stretching out as many muscle groups as you can. You want to be warm to ensure your muscles and tendons are safely ready to be stretched.
• Try mindful and serene exercise activities. If you aren’t already doing so, I encourage you to try yoga, meditation, tai chi, or a combination of all of them. These exercises do wonders for stress-relief in addition to strengthening your body. Engaging in these activities also counts toward your daily stretching time!