With our team working from home and no walk, cycle or commute to work, we’ve found that it’s all too easy to sit with a ‘work’ top on with pyjama trousers hiding under the dining room table for our daily Zoom calls and get comfy at home. Usually, there’s a number of us who enjoy going to the gym or hillwalking with friends, so we thought we would pick the brains of our Active Lifestyle Officer, Catherine Mann, from our very own Strathclyde Sport to give us some handy hints and tips on how to remain active either indoors or outdoors, always being mindful of the importance of social distancing.
Here are Cat’s fab tips that we’ve benefitted from over the past few weeks.
- Firstly, only exercise if you feel well enough to do so. Try and be sensible when embarking on any exercise or activity. Listen to your body and be sure to stop or avoid exercise if/when you feel you have too.
- Use an appropriate exercise intensity for you. During this period many of us have had our normal routines interrupted and exercise may have decreased or stopped altogether. Be sure to consider this when starting your new exercise journey and pick the right level of exercise for you.
- Stick to an active routine. Routine is important for both mental and physical health. Plan what level and amount of activity you want to achieve in the next week. Write it down and stick to it.
- Go for walk/jog/run. If you’re able and feel comfortable going outside, then get some fresh air. Try to walk to a spot that you know will be quiet and not crowded. Find a time in the day that works around your schedule and set yourself a target of steps/distance that you want to achieve. Websites like the daily mile are great for motivation. If you don’t feel comfortable going outside and have a garden, then utilise the outdoors space for activity.
- If you don’t have access to an outdoor space and don’t feel comfortable going outside then indoor workouts can be accessed online, via social media and through the Strathclyde Sport physical activity suggestions links.
- Encourage your friends, colleagues or partner to join in a workout with you. If you’re missing the social element of classes, then arrange to meet friends online and workout as group.
- Use your indoor space to stretch and relax. Yoga, Pilates and stretching can all help to calm us down and relieve stress. If online yoga is not for you then look at five different stretches that you can complete and aim to spend around ten minutes on them throughout the day.
- Use house-hold equipment as weights. Tins, water bottles and heavier items can all be used as workout tools if you don’t have any in your home. If you don’t have any equipment, then bodyweight training is still very effective at both muscle building and cardiovascular training.
- Try to incorporate more movement into your day. You could consider setting an alarm and walking around the house at regular intervals or use breakfast/lunch and dinner time as a chance to do chair-based exercises before you eat (e.g. 10 x sit to stands or calf raises).
Thanks Cat! Of course, we all have days when exercising doesn’t seem so appealing and that’s fine too! Perhaps on those days, it’s a case of pausing for an hour to read a book, do some mindful colouring, baking, cooking or taking up or rediscovering a craft. It doesn’t have to be a 5K every day, just something to give you a break from being ‘online’ and juggling a new routine. University staff are also benefitting from rest days on a Friday so we can focus on the health and wellbeing of ourselves and our families so our team is very much appreciating them!
Whilst the team is working from home, we’re still here to support our clients, colleagues and friends so please do get in touch via email if there’s anything we can do to help. Stay safe and well everyone and we hope Cat’s tips help!