While at home, it is important to remain active, maintain a healthy diet and keep a positive mentality. This can be excruciating to many of those who find themselves stuck at home. 

Due to the nationwide weight gain throughout the past year, exercising and eating healthy will help immensely. Studies show that the average American has gained about twelve and a half pounds specifically due to long quarantines and statewide shutdowns. Aside from regular weight gain, the child obesity numbers have also skyrocketed within the last year but exercising and eating healthy will help decrease those numbers.

Exercising while at home can be very beneficial though it may be a challenge to find space. Body weight exercises one could do in the comfort of their own home, such as push-ups, sit-ups, crunches, planks, squats and lunges can all improve one’s muscular system. More complex exercises to do at home may include yoga, zumba and any other types of aerobic activities.

Outdoor exercises are also beneficial to those who have access to a park or yard. Outdoor exercises include walking or running; these will benefit one’s cardiovascular and muscular systems. More complex exercises to do outdoors may also include engaging in sports and, particularly in this area, tending for farm animals and plants. 

Before engaging in these activities, it is extremely important to stretch. Stretching provides an avenue to keeping muscles flexible, strong and healthy with a good range of motion in the joints. Stretching improves body posture, increases blood circulation, improves balance, reduces stress and decreases muscular stiffness and soreness. 

It is important to plan exercises according to normal daily routines, whether that’s work, school or any other mandatory daily productivity. It has been proven that exercising in the morning may improve one’s focus, energy and overall mood throughout the day. 

“The main thing is to get up and move during the day. Long hours of sitting is leading our society to many illnesses and obesity. Exercise has been found to improve mood, energy levels, sleep, and cognitive functioning.  So get up and exercise to improve your overall health,” said Coach MacKinney, Phys-Ed teacher at Trinity High School.

Maintaining healthy diets are also very important, along with exercising. A healthy diet should be balanced; it should consist of fruits, vegetables, grains, some form of protein and dairy. Trans fats, sodium and added sugars should be avoided while preparing each meal of the day. For a weight loss of one to two pounds a week, daily calorie intakes should be reduced by roughly five-hundred to seven-hundred calories per day.

Alongside exercising and eating healthy, sleep is one of the most important factors to maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

“Getting eight hours of sleep each night, no more and no less, can decrease your weight by about 25% if practiced regularly. On the other hand, getting too much or not enough sleep can increase your weight by about 25%,” said Dr. Erika Bell, physician in South Carolina. 

Keeping a healthy mental state goes hand in hand with staying healthy. Confidence, overall energy  and moods are influenced by each and every mental state. 

“Keeping a healthy state of mind and having a great amount of communication with your family and your peers can help to keep your mind healthy, as well as your body. Remember, making yourself happy is the first step of having a healthy lifestyle,” added Bell. 

Check in with your doctor to see what steps you can take to start a healthier lifestyle. Everyone’s body is different and processes weight loss, dieting and exercise differently. Your doctor can then determine how you can lose weight and start a healthier lifestyle by examining your age, height and weight.

Being cooped up inside can have a detrimental effect on one’s mental and physical health, but exercising, maintaining a healthy diet and staying positive can improve everyday life. Be sure to check with your doctor before starting a new diet and weight loss routine!