Staying active is an important part of making sure we stay as fit and healthy as possible. It becomes especially important as we get older. Regular exercise can help boost our cognitive functions and even help reduce some of the symptoms we may experience from certain health conditions. Prioritizing our health can be difficult when we are busy, especially when it is hard to get out of the house. Here are a few tips for staying active when you do not have many opportunities to leave the house.
Create your own routine
The recommendation is that adults get about 30 minutes of exercise each day, but the important part is to make sure you find time to exercise that works for you and your schedule.
Deciding to go for a walk or exercise during a busy time of your day is likely not going to be productive. Find out what works best for you and set aside the time when you can exercise without being distracted.
Even a little bit of exercise is better than nothing but consistent and dedicated effort, even if it is for 10 min a day, will go a long way in improving your health. So it is important to get into the routine and be consistent.
Choose activities that you love to do
If you cannot or simply do not enjoy running – then don’t do it. If you try to exercise in ways that are not beneficial to you or that you do not really enjoy, it is only going to make it that much harder to stick with it.
There is a great variety of exercises. While some are better suited for outside, like running and cycling, there are some that are easier to do at home (like yoga, bodyweight exercises, or even dancing around the house to your favourite music). Whichever exercises you choose to do, it will always be better than no exercise at all as long as they are performed safely. Research suggests that the benefits of exercise extend beyond just muscles. For example, some studies show that cardiovascular exercise can improve lung function. In addition, lifting light weights, if you are able to, can help maintain your bone density and burn excess fat.
The most important part is that you choose the exercise and activities that you really enjoy doing as that will entice you to continue doing them so you continue to stay active.
Set small goals
When it comes to fitness and health, it may seem like you need to have an all-or-nothing mindset. But, in actuality, having this mindset may be damaging as if you fail to meet the big goals you have set, you are more likely to give up.
In the beginning, staying consistent and holding yourself accountable will produce better long-term results than trying to accomplish big goals right away.
One strategy to stay consistent is to have an accountability partner, someone you can work out with, or someone who is there to encourage you on your progress. Being accountable to someone else often motivates us to be more consistent and encourages us to keep going.
The great thing about exercise is that there is always a way to help you improve your health. Exercises can be performed inside or outdoors, may require a lot or little space, and can be adopted especially for you if you have limited mobility or health restrictions. There are many ways to help you exercise regularly and keep up with your overall health.
Contact Vera Home Care today!
Do not feel like you have the time to take care of yourself because you are busy being a family caregiver? Maybe you or your loved one needs some help with exercises to ensure they are done safely and properly. A few hours of home care each week can make a huge difference.
To learn more, contact Vera Home Care today!