Chaotic is the adjective that comes to mind as I think about the events that are happening in real time, around the world and in my own, and how it is affecting people’s mental and physical health. Staying in shape can easily fall off the list of priorities when school assignments, organization requirements, and life in general is all over the place. Truth is, however, carving out five to 30 minutes a day to exercise the mind and body can help one feel better and lower stress levels that have risen due to the pandemic.
Meditating is a great mental and spiritual exercise to do to start the day. Instead of checking Instagram, leave your phone where it is, stand up and stretch to relieve your muscles of any tensions that might have built up while you were sleeping. After you have stretched, find a spot on the floor, you could even stand against a wall, and sit in silence with your legs crossed. Try not to let your mind wander. Completely present, take in your surroundings and deep breaths. You are rejuvenating the mind and preparing it for the day. This exercise can be done in as little as five minutes!
Likewise, if there’s a little extra time in your day, you can physically exercise with these simple workouts. For me, running is my favorite way to relieve anxious thoughts. Whether it is for five minutes or 30, cardio exercise is essential to keep the heart healthy and stimulate the mind. Don’t feel like running or have a safe space? That’s totally fine. Jumping jacks are a great alternative to running and get the blood pumping just as quick. You could also put on your way show or movie and do intervals of ab, arm, and leg exercises.
No matter the circumstances we are in, it is imperative to keep our minds and bodies in shape. For some, this may be waking up early to run two miles, while to others it may be doing crunches or sitting in silence for ten minutes. Regardless of how you choose to exercise, getting started is the first step. Take care of yourself.
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