Staying home, social distancing, and washing your hands frequently are all great ways to avoid becoming infected with Coronavirus. 

Health Services will use this time to present other tips for keeping you strong and healthy in body & spirit during these weeks of isolation.  We’ll look at topics like exercise, nutrition, sun safety, and staying connected.

Today we want to talk about exercise.

Just because your gym is closed you don’t get a pass to sit on the couch 24-7!  Exercise will keep your body strong, lift your spirits, and boost your immune system. 

The American College of Sports Medicine recommends 150-300 minutes of moderately strenuous exercise and 2-3 strength training sessions weekly to achieve these benefits.  Your new, virtual learning environment will automatically mean fewer steps taken during the day, so planned activity breaks every 30 minutes will be especially important.   In addition to these short bursts of activity, try to go out for a longer walk, bike ride, or run everyday.   

The fresh air and movement will lift your spirits and help you be more focused when you get back to work.

With a quick search, you will find online classes for yoga, pilates, HIIT, zumba…and many, many more.  You’ll be able to get some great exercise without any added expense or equipment.  (Another added benefit to working out at home is that you don’t have to worry about how silly you might look trying it out!) 

Just find something you like and have some fun!

https://www.acsm.org/read-research/newsroom/news-releases/news-detail/2020/03/16/staying-physically-active-during-covid-19-pandemic

https://www.exerciseismedicine.org/support_page.php/covid-19-and-exercise1/