Staying at home during the pandemic is important in preventing the spread of the virus. However, staying at home can take its toll on you. Eventually, you may feel lethargic and develop joint aches from limited movement due to sitting in front of the laptop all day. Therefore, it is important to incorporate a daily routine for a healthier body and mind. Here are some tips to stay fit at home.
Do light household chores in between virtual meetings or classes
If you’re working or studying from home, chances are that you spend a lot of time in a seated position in front of your laptop. Doing household chores can be beneficial to you. You can use these as your daily routine exercises. Not only do you become more active, but you would also have a cleaner home as well as a sense of accomplishment. Something as simple as making your bed in the morning can increase your motivation and productivity throughout the day. Besides that, tasks like washing the dishes, vacuuming and washing your bathroom are equally beneficial to keep you active and also healthy.
Stretch your body to counteract prolonged sitting
Developing poor posture while sitting at your desks to work or study is incredibly common especially during the lockdown. However, “common” does not mean “normal”. Consider your body similar to a car engine. When it has been idle for a long time, it gets cold and stiff. Therefore, start off with some gentle stretching to warm up your joints and muscles to avoid injuries. Interlock your fingers and stretch your arms above your head to relieve tension in your back. You can also do some gentle spinal twists to reset your posture. Use this as your daily routine for a healthy body and mind.
Add a serving of veggies and fruits
Daily routine exercises help with your posture and are great for your body. However, without a healthy diet, those exercises can be rendered pointless. Getting enough fruits and vegetables is important for a healthier lifestyle. You can add fruits to your breakfast and have them as snacks. As for vegetables, fill half your plate with them and later add other food.
Consume less sugar and refined carbs
Other tips to stay fit at home are through your gut. Refined carbs are usually foods containing sugars and grains that have been stripped of all fiber and nutrients like white bread, pasta and sugary treats. It can also make you hungry fast and this encourages overeating that will eventually lead to obesity. Choosing good carbs instead of refined carbs can improve your waistline, mood and health. Brown rice, multigrain bread and oatmeal are among the best types of carbs. Additionally, you can cut down on your sugar bit by bit to adjust instead of completely cutting it out so suddenly.
Sleep for one more hour
Another way of how to stay healthy at home is by getting enough rest. We are all guilty of cutting corners when it comes to sleep. Staying up late to respond to texts or emails, having a Netflix binge or even playing video games could make your other healthy lifestyle habits pointless. You can tell that you’re sleep-deprived when you have a hard time focusing on your work, feeling lethargic or even feverish. Try getting to bed an hour earlier and you’ll notice how much it will improve your daily productivity as well as make you feel and look better.
To develop healthy lifestyle habits, you first need discipline and dedication because a healthy lifestyle needs energy, time and willpower. All these little tips on how to stay healthy at home can go a long way if you stick to them. You can even start by tracking your progress every day with AIA Philippines’ Vitality App. AIA Philippines’ Vitality App motivates you by offering reward points when you reach your daily exercise goal each day. Push yourself to get fit and healthier with AIA Philippines’ Vitality App today.
