Stay Active While Staying Home

We all deserve to take time for a little self-care during this period of uncertainty. That will vary from person to person, as we are all impacted by the current circumstances in different ways.  However, exercise is a powerful form of self-care that we all have access to. Incorporating movement into your daily routine positively influences your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Whether it is a refreshing walk around your neighborhood, a live streaming bodyweight circuit or chair yoga in your living room, moving can help keep your mind and body healthy and happy.

However, getting motivated to exercise isn’t always an easy task. Especially if you are faithful to your gym or studio and home workouts aren’t usually your thing. Or maybe you have a new interest in exercising with the extra time you have in your day, but don’t know where to start. We wanted to share some tips that help us get motivated to move.

1. PJs to workout clothes. Put your workout clothes on first thing when you get out of bed regardless of when you plan to exercise.
2. Make a playlist. Music is a powerful tool paired with exercise. Choose music that brings you joy, motivates you, and makes you want to move! If you don’t have time to make a playlist, have fun listening to one of the many playlists created for you on whatever music platform you use – Spotify, Pandora, I Heart Radio, You Tube, and so on.
3. Make it a date! Ask a friend or family member to exercise with you. Go on a walk while catching up on the phone with a loved one. Facetime while doing a bodyweight workout at home. Or choose a live streaming class or prerecorded online workout video to do with someone from afar. This can bring a sense of community you might be used to at the gym or in an exercise class. Plus, you are less likely to cancel when you have someone else you are showing up for.
4. Add it to your To-Do list. Anyone else feel a sense of satisfaction anytime you cross something off of a list? Exercise deserves to be an action item just like your virtual work meeting or the load of laundry you wrote down.
5. Use an accountability buddy. Have a friend or family member keep you accountable and serve as your support system. Send a quick post-workout text or a sweaty selfie, your friend will be expecting to hear from you.
6. Set a reminder. Whether it is on your phone or smart watch, there is nothing like a constant buzz that continually reminds you that it is time to move your body. Not a tech person? No problem. Put a note on your mirror or refrigerator, some place you see often throughout the day, as a friendly reminder.
7. Choose movement you enjoy. Listen to your body and do what feels good. You will have a more effective workout when you like what you are doing and are having fun doing it. If you enjoy walking, then walk. Love to dance? Try a Zumba video online or have a dance party.
8. Think outside of the box (or should I say, gym?!). Use this time to get creative indoors and outdoors – wherever you feel comfortable exercising. Use canned food, water bottles, or a backpack filled with books as your resistance. A staircase is a great resource that can be used for strength training or cardiovascular exercise. If you are comfortable going outdoors, take inventory of the terrain you have around you. Make good use of a long driveway, a nearby hill, or an outside patio or porch.
9. Give yourself a pep talk. Speak kindly to yourself. Remind yourself how you feel after exercising. A couple of positive affirmations may be just what it takes.
10. Just do it! Push excuses and any other barriers aside. Easier said than done, right?! But seriously, just start moving. You’ll be happy you did.