How To Stay Fit During COVID-19 Lockdown

The ongoing pandemic and the resulting coronavirus lockdown has forced almost all of us to stay indoors for months. This has not only thrown us off our regular routines, but has also contributed to a huge lack of physical activity among a major section of the public. Therefore, staying fit and active during these trying times is the need of the hour right now. Here are some tips and a list of exercises that you can follow to keep yourself active throughout the day.

Why it is important to stay fit in these hard times?

A sedentary lifestyle because of the coronavirus lockdown not only increases the risk of contracting heart diseases, but also decreases your immune function drastically. This makes you more prone towards contracting diseases.

Moreover, if the reports are anything to go by, the impact of COVID-19 is severe on people with comorbidities like obesity ^[1]. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to stay physically active to keep yourself healthy and protected from such illnesses and other ailments.

List of exercises you can do at home to stay fit ^{[2] [3] [4]}

Now that you know the importance of staying fit, let us look at some of the exercises that you can do at home. Although you may not have access to any equipment during the coronavirus lockdown, there are still a plethora of different ways to stay active.

Here is a quick look at some exercises you can do at home –

• Squats

• Burpees

• Lunges

• Jumping jacks

• Bridges

• Crunches

• Push-ups

• Planks

• Mountain climbers

• Leg raises

Here is a word of caution. Before you get around to exercising your body, always make sure to spend 5 to 10 minutes warming up by stretching. This not only frees up your joints and muscles, but also prevents you from being injured. You can incorporate the following stretches into your workout regimen –

• Seated parvatasana

• Dancer pose

• Seated side stretches

Why do you need to stay fit to safeguard your family's life goals?

By staying fit and physically active, you not only get to decrease the chances of falling ill, but also get to extend your lifespan. If you are the sole breadwinner of the family, then it makes even more sense for you to focus on your health during this coronavirus lockdown.

Since your entire family is dependent on your income, any untoward incidents that might happen to you can put them under grave financial stress. In addition to a loss in the household income, your family will also be emotionally shattered if something untoward happened.

By reducing the risk of premature death and disability by keeping yourself in good health, you get to spend more quality time with your loved ones. That is not all - you also get to safeguard and fulfil all of your family’s life goals. Whether your family’s life goal is to give the children a good education, own a car, or even purchase a new home, it can only be fulfilled if you are in good health.

Importance of buying a term plan during these uncertain times

In the times of COVID-19, in addition to keeping yourself active and physically fit, there is also another great way to keep your family and their goals protected. You should invest in a good life insurance plan or a term insurance plan.

Let us look at some of the most important reasons why you should invest in a good term insurance plan –

1. Provides a financial cushion

In the event of your untimely demise, the chances of your family going under financial stress become quite high. However, by investing in a term policy or a term plan you can protect them financially even in your absence.

2. Value for money

When it comes to life insurance premiums, term insurance plans are typically more cost effective than the others are. This is because term plans are pure insurance products that offer a death benefit. Thanks to lower life insurance premiums in term plans, your financial burden is reduced significantly.

3. Availability of riders

Many term insurance plans also come with the ability to add riders. This allows you to enjoy enhanced protection by way of additional benefits such as accidental death benefits, disability benefits, and coverage for critical illnesses with a nominal extra cost.

4. Tax benefits

The life insurance premiums that you pay each year are tax exempted up to Rs. 1,50,000 under section 80C of the Income Tax Act, 1961. Additionally, the death benefit that your beneficiaries receive upon your demise is also free from taxation under section 10(10D) of the act.

Conclusion

Now that you are aware of the importance of good health and how to stay fit, let us get going on your fitness journey right away. The perfect recipe for good health includes a proper fitness regimen, nutritious food, and adequate sleep. Therefore, make sure that you get all three of them right to stay healthy and happy for a long time. That said, despite how fit and healthy you are, life can be very unpredictable and might deal you a curveball when you least expect it. This is precisely why it is also important to invest in a good life insurance plan. Life insurance plans can help take care of your family and fulfil their life goals even after your demise.

Sources

^[1] https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/09/why-covid-19-more-deadly-people-obesity-even-if-theyre-young

^[2] https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/10-minute-legs-bums-tums-home-workout/

^[3] https://www.runnersworld.com/training/g23341982/best-bodyweight-exercises/

^[4] https://blog.iciciprulife.com/uncategorized/to-exercise-or-not-to-exercise-how-office-goers-can-stay-fit-during-covid-19/

Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not provide any professional advice. The list of exercises mentioned are suggestive in nature and should be done only if your health condition permits. Kindly consult your Doctor for any professional advice.