stretching

Beat the work-from-home blues

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With e-learning and remote work setups ubiquitous, it seems we’re now more tethered to our screens than ever. But, eventually, something’s gotta give. Trust me! Don’t let it be your health.

Here’s how to continue to manage the day’s stressors as we navigate the unknown.

Unplug: Know when you say when. Step away from the laptop and the TV, and put down your phone at a predetermined time. Do your mind (and family) a favor and make it a point to develop and maintain a healthy relationship with technology.

Lighten up: There’s always going to be more work to do, but doing more can really start to wear on you after a while. Hello, burnout! Seek out what fills your cup — plan a movie date night, try a new recipe, go for a walk, play a game, learn a new language, etc. As the saying goes, “you can’t pour from an empty cup.”

Reconnect: Curb the effects of self-isolation by visiting a friend or relative outdoors for a socially distanced hang out. Better yet, find out how you can (safely) volunteer and help those struggling during these tough times.

Keep moving: An exercise routine can boost mood, confidence, brainpower and even immunity. So whether it’s a stretch session, strength-training circuit or a cardio burst, try to leave the day’s cares behind. The key is to focus on your body, and sweat your stress away.

Rest: The inverse of exercise isn’t rest per se. In fact, rest can be productive and help you up your game at the gym. I like to refer to the relationship as the yin and yang. You need periods of recovery for gains. Plus, lack of rest makes you more prone to injuries. And who has time for that?

How are you managing these days? What’s worked and what has challenged you?

Fit on the road: How to stay on track

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This topic is top of mind, as I will be traveling this week. If your job or lifestyle requires you to be on the road (or in an airplane) a lot, you might find it challenging to maintain a consistent workout schedule. But you don't have to sacrifice your fitness. It just calls for some forethought. Here’s how you can stay on track on the road.

First off, do your research about amenities. Know that many hotels have gyms on-site. They usually have the basics and some are even equipped with machines and apparatuses. If you’re not staying in a hotel, you might have to get more creative. Here are a few of my go-to activities:

Walk: Walking is a great low-impact activity and it doesn’t require any equipment! Make it a point to walk for at least 30 minutes at a moderate pace to get your heart rate up.

Stretch: Put simply, stretching does the body good. And just like with walking, it’s easy to integrate into your routine. While not strenuous, stretching boosts a myriad of benefits that can help you in your overall fitness regimen. Try this sequence from Health to prepare your body for a flight.

Get on the “band”-wagon: A resistance band is versatile and takes up little to no space in your bag! Keep up your strength-training routine on the road with these 20 total-body exercises.

If you travel often, how do you take your workout on the road?