Exercising the Mind & Body During Lockdown

While we keep our distance to stop the spread of COVID-19, staying active is critical for both our physical and mental health.

As we spend time at home, it’s easy to forget our daily activity routine. Many of our usual venues have closed, and we’re no longer getting incidental exercise from walking around school or running errands. However, it’s especially important to stay active during this time.

Regular exercise is good for both our physical and mental health. It has many benefits including:

• Reducing stress and anxiety

• Improving sleep

At home

Physical activity you can do at home includes:

• Weights training — if you don’t have any weights, make your own with filled water bottles etc

• Yoga

• Pilates

• Meditation

• Backyard sports

• Walking up and down stairs

• On-the-spot running, star jumps, sit ups and push ups

• Gardening

• Dancing (we have Zoom dancing classes at Schols)

• Virtual fitness classes

• Zoom or Skype group lounge exercises with your friends

It’s important to be active most days, or every day if you can. But staying motivated can be a challenge at times.

Things that might help you keep on track include:

• Finding things you enjoy doing

• Varying your activities to keep them interesting

• Setting achievable goals

• Setting a routine and planning your day to include time for activity

• Monitoring your activity and progress

• Getting the support of your family and friends

All students in Year 7-10 are encouraged to take part in some physical activity each week and log their activity weekly through the Exercise Log found on Canvas.

We have also included a Physical Activity Grid for inspiration of ideas to get everybody moving safely. The Exercise Logs should be submitted by 8pm Sunday so there's plenty of opportunities over the weekend to get active.