Don’t use lockdown as an excuse to stay locked up. It’s not just your waistline you should consider, it’s your mental and physical health as well.
Exercise and proper nutrition affect your mental and physical health by boosting self-esteem, managing hormone levels, increasing concentration, and decreasing stress. The benefits are overwhelming and scientifically proven (just look at a few links below).
Gyms might be closed, but parks are open. The weather might be cold, but your house is not. No excuses.
TOP TIPS FOR PHYSICAL WELL-BEING
My journey from a size 24 to a size 8 started with me walking in front of my tv. (More about my journey.) It’s easy to get your heart rate up with casual walking while binge-watching your favourite shows.
Whenever possible, walk outside because the fresh air makes your body and mind feel even stronger.
Do walking lunges from room to room, in your hallway or in circles around your kitchen. Your family might laugh, but your legs will thank you.
Other exercises that require no equipment are press-ups, sit-ups, squats and dips.
Eat a varied diet full of whole grains, fruits, vegetable and lean protein.
Avoid alcohol, sweets and processed foods. These items are not kind to your body, but they hit you twice because they also affect your emotional well-being and can exacerbate depression.
TOP TIPS FOR EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING
Get moving. I know, I already shared the importance of exercise for your physical well-being, but do it for your mind and emotions too.
If you live alone, talk to friends on the phone or Zoom calls whenever possible so you don’t feel isolated.
Learn new skills. No matter your interest, YouTube is a good source to learn more.
Clear out your kitchen cupboards, removing all unhealthy foods. It helps avoid temptation and clarifies your intention to live a healthy lifestyle.
Learn to cook. The process itself is relaxing but it also encourages a healthy relationship with food.
RELATED BLOGS
For additional support and information, you might enjoy these blogs.
HOW TO COMBAT EMOTIONAL EATING THIS PANDEMIC
BEAUTY AND NUTRITION UNITE FOR CHRISTMAS PERFECTION
BEAUTY AND NUTRITION UNITE FOR NEW YEAR’S EVE PERFECTION
ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION
NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH: Aerobic exercises…have been proved to reduce anxiety and depression.3 Exercise improves mental health by reducing anxiety, depression, and negative mood and by improving self-esteem and cognitive function.2 Exercise has also been found to alleviate symptoms such as low self-esteem and social withdrawal.
MIND: [Exercise and nutrition] managing stress, anxiety or intrusive and racing thoughts – doing something physical releases cortisol which helps us manage stress. Being physically active also gives your brain something to focus on and can be a positive coping strategy for difficult times. reducing the risk of depression – studies have shown that doing regular physical activity can reduce the likelihood of experiencing a period of depression
NHS: Regular exercise can boost your mood if you have depression, and it's especially useful for people with mild to moderate depression.