How to Stay Fit, Healthy, & Sane While Locked Down at Home
with Anthony Nehra.
House Arrested, Mind and Body Tested.
How to Stay Fit, Healthy, and Sane While Locked Down at Home with Anthony Nehra
How quickly things change.
Like every summer, this was going to be the best summer ever. Spring was almost upon us, trips were booked, and I was gonna look fiiiiiine in the new swimsuits I had been impulse buying all winter.
But now, it’s house arrest. Either all alone (kill me) or with your family (I’m gonna crack). The same scene every day. And no one seems to know how long this is going to last. So you write a few emails, pretend to be interested in a Zoom meeting, and call it a day. Every. Damn. Day.
It’s easy to feel like you have no control, and fall into a booze- and snack-fueled stupor. But before you waddle into your sixth hour of Netflix and not chill, check out these strategies to relax, regain control of your day, and do your body good.
Keep a consistent schedule, even if you have nothing to do. It’s so easy to sleep the hell in and wake up whenever you damn well please. It feels great. One of my favorite things to do, really.
But this isn’t a snow day. This is your life for the foreseeable future. So if you want to have control over your life in uncertain times, take command of your daily schedule. It’s an easy fix that will put you in the driver’s seat of your day.
Wake up and go to sleep at the same time. Make an appointment with yourself to work out or get some kind of movement. Set a workout alarm if you have to. And set a reminder to get ready for bed…put the phone away, dim the lights, and prepare your body to sleep.
Which brings us to the second strategy…
Get enough sleep, and manage your stress levels. You have a unique opportunity to get the right amount of sleep every night. In normal times, getting 8 hours of sleep nightly can be tough for most people. Now, not so much.
Your nightly wind down is the key to getting into a restful, sleepy state. If, like most people, you’re boozing up at home more than usual, cut it off an hour or two before you go to bed. Then put away your phone/laptop/tablet, and don’t look at it again.
Next, sit quietly and take some slow, deep breaths. Focus on your mind on your breathing, check your posture, and observe where your body is tight. Count breaths if it helps you focus. Do this for at least 3 minutes.
If you can, do this exercise twice a day. Managing your anxiety during the day will help you feel more relaxed, in-control, and ready to wind down when it’s time to sleep.
Work out and move your body every day. From yoga to group workouts to online personal training, there are thousands of options for you to stay fit at home.
If you haven’t worked out much before, this is a great opportunity to start something new. Seasoned gym goers can take advantage of resistance bands or an all-bodyweight challenge. (It’s harder than you think.)
Working out at the same time every day will help you establish the habit. Once the daily habit is set in stone, you will get it done without having to think about it, and your day will have a sense of structure and control.
We’re all scratching at the door to get back to our “real lives,” however that’s going to look. But try not to fall into a state of suspended animation. This is your life, for the time being at least, so do what you can to make the most of your new found free time.
Stay fit, have fun, and good luck!
