So, you're at home. You know you should keep active and productive, but you've already scrubbed the house from top to bottom three times, and the list of ways to get daily exercise with minimal effort is looking shorter and shorter. Frankly, the sofa, a cuppa and back to back boxsets looks pretty tempting...
Don't Give In!
Staying active at home doesn't have to be hard work, and it's not all about cleaning and gardening. With everyone being asked to stay at home, numerous apps and videos for home workouts are surfacing. They're a great way to start (or stick to) an exercise routine from the comfort of your home, when heading to the gym stops being an option.
But what if you want something more exciting? More creative? Activities that include the whole family?
Don't worry, we've got you covered...
Got a Little One? Got Weights!
Jen, Personal Trainer at Be Fit Cornwall, found a unique way to get tots involved in her exercise routines!
"Everything changes when a small person comes into your life. It can be difficult to prioritise yourself and your health and fitness. I definitely found this at first, juggling children, work, housework, your time is the first thing to be forgotten."
Jen became an online health and fitness coach to help make fitness more accessible for mums, creating routines that can be done during naptime or can involve the little ones. Her classes are much the same, with mum's encouraged to bring their kids along and get them to join in!
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Jen | Personal Trainer (@befitcornwall) on Jan 3, 2020 at 12:16pm PST
Want to find out more? You can reach Jen on Instagram or on Facebook!
Take a look around at what's going on in your local area too - you may be surprised to find what's out there, whether classes to do at home with your kids or classes to eye up for the future.
A Task for a Mini Coach...
Let's face it, if your kids are bigger than a toddler, you're probably going to struggle to get them to join in as Jen has done (unless you have superhuman strength).
To keep your energetic kids involved, task them with creating a short exercise routine for you. They could show you what to do in person, or you could set them up with a video camera to create a workout for you to do while they're in another room. Not only will it keep your kids active and entertained, but it'll also give you a giggle when you attempt to copy their imaginative ideas.
In need of inspiration? Fitness coach Joe Wicks has a bunch of great kid-friendly workouts on his YouTube channel, The Body Coach TV.
Challenge Someone you Love
Challenges are way more fun when you can share the outcome with friends and family. While you're at home, challenge someone to complete tasks that will keep them active, and get them to do the same back!
You can have great fun coming up with silly tasks for each other to complete. Plus, updating each other on your progress is a great way to stay connected and help combat loneliness if you find yourself spending time in isolation.
Stuck for ideas? Go as sensible or as silly as you want, rope other people into giving you suggestions and search around social media for inspiration.
Some of our favourites include:
- Commandeering the kid's trampoline for three bum bounces.
- Hopscotch. Properly. With the stone and everything.
- Two-minute power workouts or yoga poses while the kettle boils (for your sixteenth cup of tea...).
- Wheelbarrow race with the kids in the garden.
Working at Home for the First Time Ever?
It's not as easy as it seems. You may start out with good intentions, but then you remember the laundry could do with going on, and maybe you should stick something in the slow cooker for dinner so it's easier to concentrate, and while you're at it give Facebook a quick scan to see what's going on... Oh, look, it's lunchtime; let's have a break!
Yet, millions of freelancers across the UK (and, indeed, the world) have been doing this for YEARS. Turn to them for advice, and check out this 'Ultimate Guide to Working from Home' from Freelance Heroes - honestly, it'll really help your productivity and your mental health. They know: they're pros.
As someone who does work from home on occasion, my favourite thing to do is make the most of the "commute" time. Instead of rolling out of bed at 8:59am and working in my PJs, I like to get up with my usual 6:30am alarm and see just how much I can get done. On one occasion, I went on a three-mile walk, took some pretty pictures (and stuck them on Instagram) before coming home, showering, cooking a hearty breakfast from scratch and catching up with the news. Honestly? It went on to be the most productive day of my working life so far.
Remember, social distancing doesn't mean staying behind closed doors for the foreseeable future. In fact, doing this could harm your mental well-being. While at home, try to get as much natural sunlight as you can, and keep fresh air circulating around your home. If you have a yard or garden, get out in the fresh air as much as you can.
Unless you are self-isolating, you can still get out to exercise once a day, whether that be a walk, jog, run or cycle. Just be sure to follow the up to date Government advice and don't put yourselves at risk.
Join the Conversation
Have you found an alternative way to exercise at home? How are you staying active, productive and positive during self-isolation?
Let us know on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!
Keep your eyes peeled; we’ll have more tips and tricks to share very soon!
rachelfoxton 18th March 2020
Posted In: Ideas
Tags: Challenge, exercise, Get out there, Home Activities, Self-Isolation, Working From Home
