This post is brought to you in partnership with adidas. All opinions are my own.
Things at home are… weird. And I bet things at your home are weird. My blogging schedule is weird. My sleep schedule is weird. (Just kidding. They’re both non-existent.) It’s difficult to know what to do or say. Things feel… stuck.
Staying active might not be at the top of your to-do list, and that’s okay. I personally don’t appreciate the “if you don’t get in shape/write that book/[insert goal here] now, you never lack the time – you lacked the drive,” posts floating around social media. This unprecedented time is stressful, scary, and frankly surreal. The goal is to protect yourself and others while maintaining as much of your life as you can inside – this isn’t a creative retreat where we all need lofty goals.
Maybe exercise is your escape. Mine is naps. Yet despite my desire to crawl back into bed, I do know that staying active is an important aspect of my personal self care. (It helps that I’m already wearing leggings and workout tops daily. Isn’t this adidas tie dye crop top the cutest?) As you can tell by my photos, working out is complicated in my own personal zoo. I love YouTube yoga classes and dance routines, but my favorite four-legged friends desperately want to be involved. Because of that – and the fact that I already worked remotely and have had to add activity to my at-home lifestyle – there are a few habits I’ve made standard that keep me moving. Here are three that might help you during social distancing.
Get Creative with Calisthenics
Got five minutes? Get moving with a mini workout! When I worked outside the home I would start my day with a small calisthenics routine – now I’ve brought it back to mid-day break times. Exercises as simple as pushups, situps, and jumping jacks boost my mood and energy level. Not feeling the idea? Just remember you’re only doing it for five minutes. Everything seems manageable that way!
Morning Dog Dance Party
It’s hard to wake up in the morning when you’re missing your commute. One thing that helps me shake off the sleep? A morning dance party with my dogs. I’ll pick an exciting song (or three) on the smart speaker and get the pups hyped for a few dance laps around the kitchen island. It’s a fun way to brighten my mood and get the blood flowing!
Stairs and Stairs and Stairs and Stairs…
Old houses often mean plenty of stairs. I already go up and down our main flight too many times per day to count, but Lance gave me the idea to add a few extra trips to increase my steps. It’s such an easy thing to add to the day. For example, we have restrooms on each floor, but I try to use the one on the opposite floor I’m currently on to increase steps. On the phone? Throw on headphones and walk the stairs! Bored? Do the stairs five times! It’s surprising how difficult it is by the end. (Just be careful.)
These daily tricks may not get me marathon ready, but when added to our evening dog walks they’re improving activity levels and moods during this period of social distancing. And that’s exactly what I need right now. How are you staying active at home?
This post is brought to you in partnership with adidas. All opinions are my own.