Staying Active: A Simple Workout Routine

School’s been out for some months now, and for many people, that means less mobility and more time sitting and laying down.

While in school, you probably shuffled from different classes to the library to your hostel. By doing that, you were giving your body the movement it needed even though involuntarily, but now you probably have a more flexible schedule.

You can afford to lay down all day watching Netflix and occasionally get up to eat. This could take a toll on not only your physical health but your mental health as well.

One of the ways to keep your body and mind healthy at a time like this is through exercise.

Exercise is proven to not only help keep your body fit but promote mental well-being as well. According to Help Guide International, exercise profoundly impacts anxiety, depression, stress, and even trauma.

Research also shows that exercise helps for a better sleep schedule, improved metabolism, and even better self-esteem.

For someone who’s done little to no exercise in the past, it might seem like a daunting task to start exercising overnight. However, the good thing is that you can start by taking things slow and steady.

It’s best to start slow enough to be able to keep up but steady enough to maintain commitment. Two days a week is an excellent place to start, and you can build up from there.

If you’re new to working out like me, this is a simple workout routine that you can do from home while still being effective. You get to burn those calories and release the endorphins, which are simply feel-good hormones. Your body and mind will definitely feel the impact.

One thing to note, however, is that exercise is most effective when you focus entirely on the workout. Being intentional about your breathing and movements makes the difference. Zoning out and half-minded workouts are not as effective. This is because your muscles and brain must work together for maximum impact.

Here’s a step-by-step simple workout routine:

Stretch your muscles: The first step in any exercise routine is to stretch your muscles and loosen your joints. This prevents soreness after the workout. The core areas involved in the workout, such as your arms, legs, abdomen, and feet, should be stretched. Also, don’t forget the wrist, ankles, and neck. They are essential in any workout too.

Squats: You can begin with twenty squats. If you want a little more challenge, you can hold on to weights as you squat.

Push-ups: Next in the routine are ten push-ups. You can simplify this by doing the push-ups with your knees on the ground instead of just your toes.

Walking Lunges: Follow that up with ten walking lunges; you can hold on to some weights to further intensify this.

Fire hydrants: Next on the routine is ten fire hydrants on each leg. Right after that comes a fifteen-second plank, and finally, the set ends with thirty jumping jacks.

Repeat this set three times with short breaks of no more than five minutes between each set so that while letting your body recover from the workouts, you do not get too comfortable and end up not finishing the workout.

If you made it to the end of the workout, you likely feel refreshed and energized. Just as stretching before the workout is essential, stretching after the workout is equally important to relax the body.

Remember to drink a substantial amount of water after every workout because your body loses fluids while exercising.

While you can exercise at any time during the day, you are more likely to complete your workout if you do it first thing in the morning before you start your other tasks as opposed to pushing it to the end of your day when you’re likely to be exhausted.

Happy exercising!