Since the pandemic prompted many to start working from home, our bodies need to adapt to far less energy expenditure than before. The least number of steps we used to take to our commute, up a flight of stairs and around the office, have all been significantly reduced.
Now our commute is from the bed to the desk-if we are yet to use a portable desk, we can bring it to bed. Thus, a working-from-home exercise routine is both timely and a necessity.
Working from Home Exercise Routine: Why Do It?
Motivation
Your reason for exercising from home will push you through sets of push-ups, mountain climbers, and burpees that seem too hard to complete. But good habits build up over time, and once exercise becomes a habit, your body will reward you as it will become easier to exercise.
By then, you may want to increase your reps and switch up your routine to avoid a plateau. The best part is, strengthening resilience through exercise also boosts motivation for other things, including working from home.
Boost Immunity
Exercising when you are working from home can help boost your immune system. We need this most now with the coronavirus pandemic and also because of our increased exposure to radiation.
Physical activity can strengthen our bodies to fight against infectious diseases. Further, daily workouts are also said to enhance the immune response to vaccination, WTOP News reported.
Improve Mental Health
The lack of socialization and the learning curve it takes to adapt to the new standard can take a toll on one's mental health. Depression and anxiety have already increased among society since the pandemic lockdown. Exercise can help counter that.
When strength training, you are building resilience both of the body and the mind. Strength training also helps prevent osteoporosis and back pain from sitting too long in front of the computer.
How Can I Stay Active While Working from Home?
Be Consistent
Get started today and do some form of exercise every day. The more often you repeat an action, the more likely it becomes a routine.
Best Time to Exercise
While exercising simultaneously every day also helps form the habit, the best time to exercise is when you are actually going to do it. If you are a morning person or want to become one, incorporate exercise into your morning routine. It does not matter if you exercise morning, noon, or night. When you are most likely to do it is the best time to exercise for you.
Try the Pomodoro Technique
Set the clock to 25 minutes or 50 minutes for a more extended task and focus only on your work from home. Then for the 5 or 10-minute breaks, use this time to do a quick exercise. A combination of elbow and side planks would be great for this break. Planks are perfect for strengthening your core. When your core is strong, this gives strength to your entire body.
Walking Outdoors
Walking helps decrease feelings of loneliness and depression. Walking often also helps build mental resilience. Be sure to follow safety guidelines when you step outdoors. Wear your face mask correctly and maintain social distancing. You can work early in the morning, after dinner, or midday-whatever works for you. A pedometer helps track your steps and keeps you motivated, too.
Leverage Your Lunch Break
Working from home gives an advantage in terms of time. Now you need not pack your workout clothes and leave the office to hit the gym to workout midday. Plus, with no scheduled face-to-face meetings after the workout, there is no pressure to look great.
Purchase Some Equipment
Bodyweight exercises are great for getting started with your working-from-home exercise routine. But, some equipment boosts how fast your body adapts to exercise. Some of the best purchases for exercising at home include dumbbells, an exercise mat, and a jump rope. Try to switch your chair with an exercise stability ball that helps with toning and strengthening your core, Top End Sports revealed.
ALSO READ : Increased Exercise During First Trimester Lowers Gestational Diabetes Risk, Research Proves
Do Not Forget to Be Mindful of What You Eat
Losing weight is really more about what you consume than how much you exercise. Though, diet and exercise work hand in hand to support weight loss. Instead of becoming anxious over counting calories and feeling guilty for eating a chocolate bar instead, be mindful of what you consume to become one with your body. By consuming healthier food, preferably whole and raw food like vegetables and fruits, it not only helps aid weight loss but nourishes your body for increased productivity. Also, meal planning really helps prevent overeating and guilty eating.
