By: Anna Cranston, ORT Times Writer
It is no secret that exercise is good for both our physical and mental health. However, since the onset of COVID-19, we have spent months at home, with many of us working remotely and in front of our computers, tablets, TVs and smartphones. This unfortunately means that getting daily exercise is not so high on our priority list, although exercise is now more important than ever.
Regular exercise has been widely shown to boost our immune responses and defences against infection, and has also been reported to reduce the risk of serious complications from COVID-19. A recent report by Zhen Yan at the University of Virginia suggests that exercise may prevent or at least reduce the severity of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), a severe complication of COVID-19. In addition, exercise has been widely reported to help ease depression, stress and anxiety, and aid in the management of chronic conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
The World Health Organization currently recommends adults to engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity or at least 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity per week. Even a short break from work or your computer will make a huge difference in your health. Here are five simple tips for staying active during the pandemic:
1. Exercise outdoors
Most public gyms are likely closed and will be for a while. Instead, take your fitness outside and into the fresh air. Go for a run around your neighbourhood, where you can safely practice social distancing, or go for a bike ride along one of the many new bike lanes appearing all over the city.
2. Make time and re-think your daily commute
Instead of rolling out of bed and getting straight to work, why not use that commute time for exercise instead? You might feel more motivated to work out in the morning compared to after a long day at work.
3. Follow an online exercise class
Take advantage of the wealth of online exercise classes available. Many of these are free and can be found on YouTube. From yoga to cardio to weight training, the possibilities are endless, and the benefit is that you can incorporate the classes around your work schedule.
4. Sign up for a virtual race
With the cancellation of in-person races due to COVID-19, many of these events have moved online. Many runs and cycling challenges can be found online, with the benefit of being more flexible while still being a good motivator for staying active.
5. Exercise virtually with friends
Why workout alone? Invite your friends to an online workout via Zoom, or run or cycle with a friend from a distance. Apps like Strava or Zwift enable you to race against friends virtually, all from the comfort of your own home.
Whether at home or outdoors, exercise is great for both your physical and mental health, so lace up those running shoes and get active.