How I've Been Moving My Body During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Thank you to adidas for sponsoring today’s blog post. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
WHEW. What a month it has been!
This week marks about almost two months, in my personal life, of sheltering in place.
Weirdly enough, my life hasn’t changed too terribly much (which I realize is a huge privilege to be able to say).
I’ve been working from home for almost four years now, and have been doing that even as I raise my daughter Maddy. I’ve been working during nap time and in short segments since she was born...but for those of you who are new to this. I am here to say IT IS HARD TO GET USED TO.
Just look at this blog post I wrote after my first year of working from home as official proof.
One of the hardest aspects I believe that is challenging about working from home is the lack of boundaries between your personal life and work life, as well as the lack of movement in our lives.
In today’s blog post, I want to share my personal tips and strategies for how I stay active while working and staying at home.
And it would be fair to start with my WHY behind why I want to stay active.
Because there’s so much diet centric information out there telling you you need to stay active to avoid weight gain and fear mongering you about your body size changing. I’m here to say, you do not need to worry about your body size during a global pandemic. Hello diet culture!
The difference in actions such as joyful movement and gentle nutrition from an intuitive eating perspective is the intention and mindset behind it. Even during this crisis, I chose to stay active and honor my health because it helps me feel good, helps my mood during these challenging times and are actions we do together as a family.
I’ve personally chosen to stay active as one of the basic acts of self care I continue to give myself as a reminder ultimately to myself that I still matter and my health (mental and physical) is something I can always take care of, even when it feels like it doesn’t matter.
Here are some ideas of ways I’ve enjoyed staying active:
A few times a week starting the day (after coffee of course!) by using my favorite KAIT app for a movement and meditation workout. One of the things I love most about Kait Hurley’s workouts is the language she uses during her workouts (so supportive and encouraging!) and that most are about thirty minutes. There’s also a variety of options, I usually go for the high intensity workouts or the restorative yoga sessions.
I was working with Engrid for personal training before the shelter in place mandates, so I’ve had fun trying out some of the workouts she has shared on her Instagram account. (P.S. You can also meet with her virtually if you are interested!)
My yoga studio here in Greenville, Indigo Flow, has been hosting yoga classes on Zoom, and I’ll join these a couple times a week.
My sister, Kat Beck, has been hosting virtual movement meditation moon circles. Basically, you meet for an hour and practice yoga, dance and shake your booty and then end with breathwork and meditation.
I’ve also been using this time to try new types of workouts! I’ve had fun trying barre workouts for the first time in my life and I am loving it! Y’all know I love movement that is 100% free of diet culture BS and Simi Botic’s monthly membership for Barre classes, called Unmeasured, is exactly that. In addition to my other virtual classes, this has been another fun addition to my routine!
I go for a walk with the family at least once a day. One of my favorite parts of the day!
We dance together all day! It’s been so fun watching my 10 month old learn how to dance and I love how it helps shift my mood when I’m upset about what’s going on.
I try to stretch and foam roll daily. I have bad back and neck pain from working on a computer if I don’t, so I try to be consistent with this as it helps so much (especially since I cannot see my chiropractor right now!)
And on days when I’m not feeling up for much movement, I try to even just do 5 minutes of yoga at home, even if that means just laying in butterfly position or happy baby.
Personally, I find it easiest to flow with what my body needs in the moment. So instead of scheduling my workouts, I try to just make it a goal to move in some way everyday, and I ask my body when I wake up what it wants that day. Some days its moving more intensely where other days (many days) it wants rest.
Here are some final tips for working from home and taking care of yourself:
Use your walks outside as the official cut off to end your work day, and then your personal life begins.
I find using meal time as scheduled off time really helpful. When it’s time to cook dinner, that means it’s time to stop working for the day.
Have water by your computer all day and slowly sip.
Listening to music or a podcast (or audiobook!) helps the workday feel more fun.
Use an essential oil diffuser to boost your mood, increase concentration and have a yummy smelling home.
Supplements like adaptogens can help if you’re really struggling with concentration. Lion’s mane, holy basil and rhodiola are all great options.
Don’t forget about your mental health! Schedule meditation into your daily schedule and view it as just as important as your physical health. There’s also Better Help*, an online platform for counseling, if that would also support your mental health needs right now too.
Here are a couple Instagram posts I shared of my work from home schedules if you need more ideas!
Tell me: How has your movement routine shifted or changed with staying home?
*Affiliate link
