A new study conducted by the University of Bath (United Kingdom) and published in Exercise Immunology Review, indicates that regular exercise benefits immunity, even in isolation.
The report indicates that “keeping up regular, daily exercise at a time when much of the world is going into isolation will play an important role in helping to maintain a healthy immune system.”
Further, the article states that “people should not overlook the importance of staying fit, active and healthy during this period. Provided it is carried out in isolation – away from others – then regular, daily exercise will help better maintain the way the immune system works – not suppress it.”
Social distancing requirements have meant the temporary closure of gyms, however, there are lots of other options for getting your daily dose of exercise.
- Get outdoors. As long as you maintain social distancing from others, go for a walk, a run, a bike ride, or a hike.
- Do body-weight exercises like pushups and sit ups.
- Create your own home gym. If you don’t have weights, use canned goods – or fill a juice or milk jug with water or sand.
- Do Sun Salutations. You don’t actually need a yoga mat to do yoga.
- Find videos online. YouTube has lots of free options.
- Create a workout group with your friends using a video conferencing tool for added motivation.
- If you have kids, have a family dance party, or practice things like long jump, skipping, mini relays and more while on a walk, or in your back yard.
“We have been doing fun things with our kids to keep them active,” said Jani Vogell, Kinesiology instructor at College of the Rockies. “We’ve used the lines on the pavement for long jump challenges. And we take turns making up mini timed challenges like doing two laps around the house, and then 20 jumps on the trampoline, followed by 5 swings on the swing set. It’s important for all of us to keep active right now, for our physical health as well as for our mental health.”
We hope all of you are finding ways to keep active during this time. Please stay safe, continue to social distance, wash your hands, and take care of yourself.