Staying Healthy at Home

Now more than ever, it’s become incredibly important for us to find ways to stay fit, active and healthy at home. Over the coming weeks, we’ll likely be spending more time in our homes, further increasing the need to maintain a healthy body and mind.

To get you started, we’ve put together a list of some of the best ways you can stay healthy whilst at home. We’ve split the activities out into both physical and mental exercises and explained why it's so important to remain active. 

Why is it important to stay healthy?

Keeping fit isn't just for the body, it's for the mind too. Exercise is linked to all kinds of benefits. From relieving stress and anxiety to improving your sleep. It makes your muscles stronger and your body fitter, which is why it's so important for anyone who has limited mobility. 

If you struggle to exercise, naturally some muscles become weaker. Which can make some everyday tasks more difficult than they need to be. But there are things you can do. Like taking part in exercises you wouldn’t normally think of doing, and targeting muscles that are weaker than others.

Perhaps above all, exercising should be enjoyable, and you can mix them up as much as you like. We'll also introduce you to some exercises designed to keep your brain active and keep your mental health in check.

Physical Exercises

Here are some of the best exercises and activities you can take part in at home:

Go for a walk around the house or garden

If you have a walking aid, you can simply go for a walk around your home to stretch your legs and keep your muscles strong. Try and get out of your chair every hour or so, to keep your body moving and to ensure your muscles and joints remain as flexible as possible. 

One of the most frustrating things about being locked in your home is not being able to leave. If you have a garden, use it. Simply going for a walk around your garden has the same benefit and also gives you a blast of much needed fresh air. 

See if you can count your steps and keep track of your progress each week. 

Exercises from the comfort of your chair

There is a wide range of activities you can complete from the comfort of your chair. One of the most popular exercises is the ‘sit and stand’. It’s very simple. All you need to do is sit down, then stand upright, and repeat. 

Sometimes you might need help completing the exercise. You can use your walking aid as additional support, as they give you a bit of extra confidence because of the stability they provide.

Another popular exercise is the sit and walk. The process is simple. You slowly rise out of one chair and walk over to another, then repeat. You can do this with a walking aid or assistance from someone else if needed. Taking part in these exercises improves blood flow around your body and ensures your joints stay healthy.

These are some of the best exercises you can do from the comfort of your chair. If you want to find out more, here are some of the best exercises to keep you active. 

Online Yoga

Yoga is a very popular practice that's gentle on your body, good for the mind, and keeps your core muscles strong.

Taking part is easy and free, with some excellent Yoga tutorials that you can follow from your home with the help of a tablet or computer.

Abilities start from beginner through to experienced. The exercises are slow and gentle and are a great way to keep active and keep your muscles working. Yoga also helps to reduce stress and relieve you of any niggling anxieties. Below is an example of a free yoga session you can find over on YouTube:

Mental Exercises

Although physical exercises are important, it’s also important to stay mentally fit. There are a few ways you can do this and you can do them from the comfort of your chair.

Learn something new

Now is a great time to learn something new. Whether it be knitting or sewing or a new language, there’s never been a better time to do it. It’s important to keep your brain active and learning something new is the perfect way to do it. Are your typing skills in need of some work? Play our typing game to put your typing skills to the test. You can also use the game to teach yourself how to touch type. 

Use mindfulness apps

If you have or have access to a smartphone or tablet, downloading an app like Headspace is a great way to relax your mind. There are numerous exercises to follow that help keep you relaxed and quite literally in a good headspace. Headspace uses a form of meditation, and you can take part in their mindfulness classes from the comfort of your chair. You choose how long you want the session to run for. And there are loads of online classes on YouTube that are just as useful. Search around to find what’s best for you. 

Play games or complete a puzzle

If you’re in a house with another person, challenge them to a card game or something more testing like Scrabble. This is not only fun but a great way to keep your mind active and your brain ticking over nicely. You could also complete a puzzle. This gives you a challenge and something you can look back on and be proud of after you’ve completed it. If you find yourself without company, completing word searches or Sudoku puzzles are a great way to challenge yourself. 

Hopefully, our guide has motivated you to find new ways to keep moving at home. If you want any more help or advice, feel free to use the live chat below and we’ll be happy to help you.

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