Tips To Maintain Your Mental and Physical Wellbeing
Is it really 8 weeks since we’ve gone into lockdown? How do days seem to go slow but somehow months have gone quickly? What day are we even on today?
You may have exhausted your box sets, re-watched Groundhog Day again or loaded up vintage sports moments. Have you mastered Zoom yet? Have you forgot to mute yourself and said something you shouldn’t have? Or maybe you have perfected that victoria sponge recipe?
It has been lovely to see so many of you joining in our online classes. The instructors have done a tremendous job in streaming classes from their homes into yours. They will continue to be there during the pandemic along with the on demand classes should you not be able to make the timetables sessions.
We have been looking at how to keep you motivated and engaged as well as addressing some common issues that may hinder your exercise.
PLANNING
At the best of times, routines have been key to continued participation. The fact that our old routines have gone out of the window to be replaced by working from home, childcare, caregiving or just getting our heads around isolation can all be detrimental. Planning your exercise like an appointment is a big help. Once exercising, the benefits can release the pressure of the remainder of the day.
A session at any time is welcome but if you can get it in in the morning it can set you up for the rest of the day. The sooner your training is done the sooner you can feel the benefits. Improved mood, increased energy and lowered stress levels for the rest of the day? Sign me up.
SET UP
We may have been forced to reimagine our homes as home gyms. Whether you have equipment or not, lots of room or not, it is doable. Just start by placing a mat or towel down on the floor and you can join in one of our classes whether it is yoga, pilates or HIIT and you will get a strong workout in a small space. Once you know what is realistic you can really get going.
TRACKING
Write down your training aims and keep track of your goals by recording your completed sessions. You can even note specific details like how long you could hold the plank for or how quickly you run a 5km. Even the amount of completed sessions during a week will be a sign for success. There is nothing more motivating than seeing and feeling progression over time and proving that there has been an impact. It can also reset those original goals or assess where you need to make gains to improve.
WELLBEING
The lack of routine at the moment can add to our anxieties, which is why establishing one can help override it with exercise and/or other hobbies. Daily and weekly regimes will be key to your long-term success.
Being in touch with family and friends is vital, perhaps do joint challenges together so you can share and compare notes. We will share some later on, which you can get involved with.
Limit the news intake. The news cycle can become overwhelming and we can feel engulfed by negativity. Stay away from it when you can, we can all get sucked into it too much. You are likely reading this on your phone, use it less when possible. Nothing wrong with a bit of digital detox.
CHALLENGES
Sometimes something a bit random is a great way to shake up our routine. It can break us out of a plateau, set new goals or bring us closer together with fellow challenger.
The London Marathon was postponed for now and it has had a big effect on the fundraising of charities. The 2.6 challenges have been helping bridge the gap and more than £10million has been raised so far.
Usually someone who has done the fitness challenge and made a contribution to a charity nominates you to do the same. You then nominate others to follow suit.
An example is the Bipolar UK 2.6 Challenge:
2.6 mile run/walk
26 sit-ups
26 press ups
26 squat jumps
260 second plank (cumulative, not expected in one go!)
Individual activities are also an option.. Perhaps you can go up and down stairs 26 times... Walk 26 laps of the garden.. Dance for 26 minutes. Anything goes!
There are non-fitness interpretations of the challenge too. There are no rules. NSPCC has had people live streaming 26 karaoke songs, reading 26 books in 26 days or (a personal favourite of mine) completing 26 puzzles in 26 days. You may even create your own challenge!
It is a daunting time at the moment and to be honest we support you whatever you decide to do or not. It’s ok. I mean none of us like those friends who have learnt a new skill but hopefully we have given you some ideas on options to make you feel more positive as we get through this.
Good luck and let us know how you get on.