If you’re at home, it doesn’t mean you can’t keep moving! It’s no secret that exercise is great for both your mental and physical wellbeing, it can help to:
- Boost your immune system: Keeping physically active is a fantastic way to ward off illness and release endorphins – the ‘feel good’ hormone.
- Increase your flexibility: By being active we are constantly stretching, which keeps us more supple and flexible, improving mobility.
- Improve your sleep: Taking part in a physical activity during the day will greatly
enhance sleep, which has the knock-on effect of making us feel better the following day.
There are plenty of home workout videos on YouTube but if this isn’t your thing, or you’d prefer something a little more gentle, then here is a list of some low-impact exercise ideas you can do from the comfort of your own home (or garden!):
- Walking up and down stairs or from room to room.
- Gentle stretching – try static stretching which involves holding a stretch for 30 seconds or more and is focused on lengthening a specific muscle or group of muscles. The stretch is always held steadily, without any bouncing or pushing/pulling.
- Yoga – there are plenty of simple, gently poses to begin with if you’re just starting out. Plus many can still be done seated.
- Sitting exercises – the NHS provide a great list of seated exercises (which you can download as a PDF) which can help to improve your flexibility and prevent falls. Don’t worry if you’ve not done much for a while, the exercises are gentle and easy to follow.
- Strength exercises – this list of strength exercises is a great starting point and includes simple exercises such as calf raises and leg extensions. All of which can help improve your mobility.
- Balance exercises – this list of balance exercises is nice and easy to follow and includes exercises such as heel-to-toe walking and one-leg stand.
- Flexibility exercises – for these exercises wear loose comfortable clothing and keep some water nearby. Build up slowly and aim to increase the repetitions over time. Here is a useful list of flexibility exercises including neck stretch and sideways bend.
- Gardening – if you’re able to, gardening, such as watering plants and weeding are great ways of working your muscles. If you find that squatting and bending to dig or pull weeds is excessive activity for you, you can use a gardening stool to avoid injury to your knees and back.
Remember, most physical activities can be modified to suit any ability so give it a try and enjoy!
Helping your loved one to continue living independently and confidently in their own home.
By providing a range of support at home, we’re helping many clients across Bath & North East Somerset and West Wiltshire retain their independence and stay in control in the comfort of their own homes.
Remember we’re always here if you want to chat about your care options. Just get in touch:
Call 0333 043 4880 – Email enquiries@abneyandbaker.com – Book a call here
