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Staying at home for extended periods can be challenging - whether you're in self-isolation or social distancing due to COVID-19. Doing regular exercise, keeping active and meditation can help you deal with ‘cabin fever’ and move your mood.
“If you have stuff in your house and you have a body, you’ve got a great exercise tool,” says Dani Johnson - a physical therapist at the Mayo Clinic Healthy Living Program.
Here are some useful links and tips to help you keep moving wherever you are:
- Six things you can do every day to maintain your physical and mental health if you’re isolating at home (New York Times article).
- The free Rise & Recharge app will remind you to take regular breaks from sitting if you are working from home.
- Meditation apps can help you stay calm and lower anxiety levels, such as:
- A series of six-minute workout videos that exercise four main muscle groups is available: cardio, the lower body, the upper body and the core (New York Times article).
- Try some home workout exercises (Telegraph UK article).
- A simple exercise routine to do at home (BBC).
- Les Mills has 800+ workouts available on demand - 15 to 55 minute online workouts for beginner to advanced levels. Non-members can try Les Mills On Demand free for 14 days.
- Use the Activities Directory to connect with local activity providers and find out about online options.
- The REPs database is a good way to find local exercise professionals providing online services.
Get tips on how to look after your mental health and wellbeing during COVID-19 self-isolation (Mental Health Foundation).
- Download a factsheet on fun games and activities with a fly swatter [PDF].
- Find out about activities for the whānau from All Right?.
- Download the Pack of Tiny Adventures Smartphone app! Tiny Adventures contains nearly 90 activities, ranging from baking and bouncy balloony fun, to arts and craft activities.
- Games from Healthy Kids NZ.
- Kids and families can move and learn together with GoNoodle: Good Energy at Home.
- Ten games to play with a ball (Free Stuff 4 Kids).
Now is the time to pull together and support each other! Kia kaha! - Be strong!
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Here are some snippets on the latest physical activity research or news that we found interesting.
Latest academic research studies have found that exercise increases life expectancy regardless of the size of people - proving exercise is critical to longevity.
A US university study has found that women who keep moving during pregnancy may produce children with stronger motor skills.
A leading New Zealand exercise expert says an obesity epidemic and a physical inactivity crisis are gripping this country.
Read more Active Canterbury news.
The Active Canterbury Newsletter is produced bi-monthly and aims to keep local physical activity providers informed. It has a focus on latest physical activity research, upcoming education and training opportunities, key events and tips on how to practically apply research and industry tools.
View the latest newsletter: Active Canterbury Newsletter March-April 2020