How To Stay Active During A Pandemic by Paige Stratioti
Anna McGee & Paige Stratioti of AP Training in Duluth MN
Staying physically and mentally fit during this time is vital for our health. Although we are facing a global pandemic taking on COVID19, we still have so many variables that we CAN control and that is what we have to focus on. Yes, we are advised to quarantine and practice social distancing in all areas of our lives right now.
Rather than using this as an excuse to let your physical health slide, it’s a great opportunity to try new things and get outside of your comfort zone while still abiding the CDC guidelines. Here’s some options for you:
Research gyms and personal trainers that offer at-home training programs! Exercising on your own in your own home can be tough to motivate yourself to do. Finding a program that offers live classes, a facebook group to stay connected, and provides exercise modifications to make every workout adaptable! ( ***Check out AP Training’s new 4-week program launching soon :)
Get OUTSIDE! Fresh air and some sunshine do wonders for the body and mind. Your dogs will appreciate it too!
Keep moving! It’s important to not spend too much time sitting around and dwelling on the current circumstances of the world. Get your butt off the couch and go for a walk, clean out that guest room closet, paint the bathroom, and sort the dang tupperware cabinet!!! Do all of those things that have been on your list for years - it’ll feel so good!
Now, let's talk about mental health. There could not possibly be an easier time to have crippling anxiety over the circumstances right now and boy is it easy to cave into it. Here's what has helped me:
Focus on controlling what I can control. I only can control my own decisions right now and I literally have to remind myself of that about 10 times a day. Always remember you have the choice how you want to react to something and it’s always a work in progress.
Exercising and getting outside. These two things I do everyday at some point and it has saved me! Getting my workout done in the morning and taking my dog for a long walk in the afternoon or evening. It also allows you to stay in some sort of routine which is always a good thing.
TALK ABOUT IT! Talk to people about how you feel because you're not alone! It’s a weird time for everyone and sometimes even though we have all the answers to our problems, it’s good to get it out.
“Physical and Mental Health really do go hand-in-hand and making sure you’re taking care of both during this time is huge. Try to stay in a routine where you practice both and take each day a day at a time! ”
- This post was written by Paige Stratioti of AP Training in Duluth MN