The Impact of COVID-19 on Health & Wellness

Feeling stir-crazy? You’re not alone. With nationwide calls for social distancing and self-quarantine in light of the rampant COVID-19 virus, people are spending more time at home than ever. Restaurants, bars, gyms, fitness studios, beaches, and other gathering places seen as sanctuaries of sanity are being barred as off-limits.

The effects of COVID-19 have been swift and unavoidable; see: stock market meltdowns, empty store shelves, and tanking industries. On top of that, the global spread of the virus, conflicting news reports, and unnerving social media posts surrounding it are causing a general fear and misunderstanding of how to stay safe and healthy. It’s easy to let (completely valid) feelings of stress, anxiety, and trepidation creep in and affect your mental and physical state of wellbeing.

We’ve compiled some health and wellness resources currently being offered for free or at a reduced cost to help you get back into the body space in these trying times.

Les Mills on Demand

Known for their BODYPUMP™ classes, Les Mills programs are taught in tens of thousands of gyms, globally. Now you can get a sample with Les Mills on Demand — free classes including HIIT, total body, and dance.

Nike Training Club

Searching for motivation and guidance beyond fitness? Nike Training Club is offering premium services for free. On-demand workout classes, training programs, and expert tips for sleep and nutrition are all included.

Gold’s Gym

The popular gym chain is offering free access to 600+ audio and video workouts on its app, Gold’s Amp ™, until May 31, 2020. Check out their hundreds of DJ mixes to add some flavor to self-guided exercises.

Planet Fitness

Missing the fun and camaraderie of group fitness classes? Planet Fitness is hosting “Home Work-Ins” live streams daily on their Facebook page at 6pm CT.

CorePower Yoga

Looking for a positive flow to stay in tune with your body? Look no further than CorePower Yoga On Demand. The national studio chain is featuring several online classes to help you keep your practice. Ranging from five-minute guided meditations to hour-long detox, strength, and stability flows, there is an option for everyone.

Your local gym

Have a membership to a gym you never thought you’d miss so much? Many gyms are offering access to online classes. Contact your gym to see what options are available.

Go for a walk

This option is always free of charge. A study published in the Journal of Environmental Science and Technology reported that “getting outside-and moving-for as little as five minutes at a time improved both mood and self-esteem.” So, get outside. Take a hike. Go to a park. Or, simply walk up and down your block. (Of course, practice proper distancing from others on the sidewalk or trail and continually check your city/state’s guidelines for leaving your home.)

Mental health bonus: Headspace app

Managing your mental health is just as important as moving your body. Luckily, Headspace is contributing content to help users manage stress and anxiety at home. Their series “Weathering the Storm” is free to everyone and includes meditation, sleep, and movement exercises to provide a bit of reprieve in these trying times. Content geared specifically toward healthcare professionals and educators is also available.

Closing Thoughts

A poignant poem by writer Kitty O’ Meara has been making the rounds on social media:

And the people stayed home. And read books, and listened, and rested, and exercised, and made art, and played games, and learned new ways of being, and were still. And listened more deeply. Some meditated, some prayed, some danced. Some met their shadows. And some began to think differently.

And the people healed. And, in the absence of people living in ignorant, dangerous, mindless, and heartless ways, the earth began to heal.

And when the danger passed, and the people joined together again, they grieved their losses, and made new choices, and dreamed new images, and created new ways to live and heal the earth fully, as they had been healed.

Take this time to recharge your mind, body, and spirit. We’re going to come through the other side of this, stronger than ever.

Originally published at https://smallworldus.com on March 25, 2020.