Physical fitness has never been held at utmost importance than the COVID-19 pandemic. Even WHO has suggested people around the world to stay physically active when you are working from home. Sedentary work and low levels of physical activity have consequences on our bodies. When work from home has been the new normal, what else can be the new normal?

Exercising for few minutes every day. WHO recommends 150 minutes of moderate-intensity workout or 70 minutes of vigorous-intensity workout per week.

Have you noticed how a simple run in your nearest park or a swim in your apartment calms you down when you are anxious about something? When we exercise, our body releases endorphins that triggers a positive feeling in the body. It’s without doubt that whoever has exercised certainly experienced stress relief, improvement of memory, better sleep, improved confidence and overall boosting of mood. Exercising also helps in fight depression, anxiety and ADHD.

I was a physically active kid in my childhood but somehow there was an unintentional hiatus from high school. I again started my fitness journey back in 2015 by running and working out at the gym. I have many 10K runs and hope to run a full marathon someday. I have been learning Karate from last year and have qualified till 4th kyu (Brown belt). I didn’t think of self-defense when I joined Karate, the aim was to do some rigorous work out different from what most of the people were doing the gym. I have heard many people say they stopped going to the gym because they got bored of the same instruments they have been using or they don’t have a gym partner. The key for any type of exercise is to add some spice to it. If you are being innovative, it’s obvious you will get bored. If you don’t have a partner, find someone who shares the same interest by joining a club.

You do not have to be a fitness freak to reap the benefits of an exercise, even baby steps take you a long way. Walking, climbing, cycling, running, swimming, aerobics or any home-based exercises for few minutes work wonder. If you think you are too busy to spend time on any kind of exercise, you can walk on the spot, or walk around your home while you take that work call instead of sitting on your chair. Reducing the sedentary time is another way. It is said, get up from your chair every 30 mins if you want to cut your risk of death. Sitting for too long increases the cholesterol levels, chances of diabetes and risk to the heart. Taking the stairs instead of the elevator of your apartment will burn those extra calories. And whenever there is a chance to move your body, do it without asking help or delegating to someone. You will be helping yourself by doing so.

Exercise should be a part of your lifestyle, not a hobby to be pursued only in your leisure time. And results do not occur overnight, have some patience until your body starts the magic!