Newport Live's tips to stay happy and healthy at home

 
Our daily routines are completely disrupted at the moment for the greater good of the world while we self-isolate and distance ourselves from others. So let’s make the most of it with some innovative home fitness and wellbeing solutions.

It is so easy to sit on the sofa being sedentary and hooked to the news – why not set yourself a time stamp every few hours where you get up and move and put down the devices down? Planning and structure are key, make a list of all of the exercise types you enjoy and build it in to a weekly plan. Day 1 could be a run or a walk, day 2 body weight circuit, day 3 an online Zumba class.

There are lots available online including from Newport Live instructors on the Newport Live Facebook page.

If you have a smart watch or fitness tracker, keep an eye on your daily movements. It’s recommended that for health related fitness we need to be moving at least 150 minutes per week including anything from cleaning, gardening, walking, (on your own or with a household member only if you venture out doors for a walk), these are great ways to keep the body moving.

We also need to consider our cardiovascular fitness, muscular strength and endurance as well as flexibility and mobility. It is usually these elements that decline in performance as soon as we lose our routine. If we stop our more intense exercise regime we may find things such as running gets harder, muscles get weaker, we feel stiff and our mobility declines. Here are a few solutions:-
 

  • Try one of the Newport Live online workouts for you to do at home - check out the Newport Live Facebook page for more information.

  • The NHS online has a superb bank of free virtual workouts to do at home, anything from Pilates, Yoga, aerobics, dance or strength to get that heart rate up. 

  • Why not try our simple home circuit? At the bottom of this page is a good example of cardio and core strength workout with no equipment required! Try each exercise for 30 seconds to a minute at a time or 15 - 20 repetitions. Make sure you go at your own pace!

Importantly, make sure you warm up before participating in any exercise, and don’t push yourself beyond your own ability. Exercise carries its own risks and whilst at home, you should not carry out any activities which you have been told are not suitable for you. Stay safe and ensure any area you chose to exercise in is free from obstacles and hazards.
 
You could also start that to do list of things you have been meaning to do for ages, sort out the cupboard of doom (we all have one), cook something healthy, listen to your favourite music, read a book or sign up to an online course - use the time to be productive!

Finally remember to give yourself a little bit of time to relax and switch off the world. Read a book, meditate or give yourself a pamper and remember to stay in contact with family or friends who may be on their own via a phone or a message to make sure they are ok.
Keep the positive mind set and take one day at a time!
 
Visit our Happy and Healthy at Home page for more exercises, ideas and links.

try our simple home workout