Working Hybrid? Stay Physically and Mentally Fit at Home

People call it stir-crazy. It’s that frantic restlessness that comes from feeling confined. People may experience this feeling when they’re stuck indoors, when they work from home, or when they have to take care of bored children. Or these days, when dealing with all three at the same time.

Feeling stir-crazy is a natural response to uncertainty and confinement. One of the most effective ways to combat that stress is through physical activity. To help you stay balanced and energized, here are five ways to build a workout routine into your day, even during these unusual times.

1. Build 5-Minute Mini Workouts Into Your Day

You may be stuck working from home but that doesn’t mean you have to be stuck at your desk. Get up every 30 to 45 minutes to stretch.

Basic, low-impact exercises like the cat-camel stretch or simple yoga moves don’t commit you to a lengthy, planned workout. Yet, six times a day adds up to a half hour of exercise. And after each five-minute break, you get back to your desk refreshed and ready to pick up where you left off.

2. Turn Cleaning Into Cardio

Cleaning may not be your favorite chore, but as long as you’re cooped up, might be able to get a workout as you get it done.

You can warm up with about five minutes of something small and simple. Maybe do the dishes or some light dusting. Then, turn up the pace and go cardio into the heavier cleaning. Mop the floors, scrub the bathtubs, vacuum the carpets — whatever has to be done. Do that at a quick pace for about 20 to 30 minutes. Then cool off with 5 minutes of something light.

At the end, you’ll gain the endorphins that come with working out and having a cleaner house.

3. Let Your Home Be a Gymless Gym

Find exercises you can do without special equipment or coaching. You can work out your lower body with squats, lunges and bridges. Lift your arms while you do squats and it can become part of an upper body workout, as well. (Extra points if you hold weights or a can of vegetables while you do it.) And don’t forget to do planks and crunches for your core.

Most of these exercises, you can do at the foot of your bed, or anyplace where there’s enough floor space to stretch out.

4. Take an Exercise Class On the Internet

Launch Google Play or the Apple App Store and you can find lots of exercise apps. Many will customize the workout to your needs.

You can also find lots of free exercise routines by searching Google, YouTube or Facebook. They’re available for all levels. They range from a few minutes of simple stretching to full body-sculpting workouts. You’ll find routines in article- (we just linked to a few) and video- formats.

And if you can’t find one you like, adjust it. This seven-minute workout got a lot of press a while back. But when it proved too hard for most readers, the New York Times showed readers how to make personal adjustments based on your own capabilities. With a little imagination, any workout can work for you.

5. Call Teladoc if You’re Not Feeling Well

We promised 5 ways to stay fit. These days, no matter how badly you want to go out, you don’t want to go to a doctor’s office. Teladoc board certified physicians can provide prompt diagnosis anytime of the day or night via mobile app or telephone. They also prescribe medications and update your medical records.

Family benefits like this are included with the Alliance Health Plan. For more information, call us at 1-800-733-2242 (M-F, 7am-5:30pm Central Time) or visit the Alliance Direct Benefits website today!