Three Ideas To Keep Your Mind And Body Active During Lockdown

Needless to say, lockdown is an unprecedented experience for all of us that has its fair share of challenges. That’s why it’s vital to make a concerted effort to keep your mind and body active. Doing so will not only help you maintain optimal mental and physical health, but it will also provide plenty of positive experiences to look back on during this difficult time. Who knows, you may even pick up a new hobby! If you need some ideas to inspire you into action, consider the following ones:

1. Teach Your Pet Some New Tricks

If you’re lucky enough to have a pet by your side, now is the perfect time to teach them some new tricks. We know we don’t need to tell you twice about what joy playing with your pet is. So we’re certain that you’ll have a memorable time working on some fun tricks together. 

The benefits of this activity are two-fold: not only will you be able to get your mind ticking and your body moving⁠—your pet will too! If you’re worried that you’re not up to the task, the tricks you teach don’t need to be complicated. Start with straightforward ones and increase their complexity once you get the hang of teaching them. If you don’t yet own a pet and have been considering getting one, there are a number of pets that are ideal for seniors. 

2. Take Up Some Chair Exercises

Not being able to freely walk around the park or do simple exercises outdoors can be difficult. But that doesn’t mean you should stop exercising altogether. There are plenty of at-home exercises you can do. You don’t need any fancy equipment, either. Just put on your sports clothes, grab a well-built chair and your computer, and you’ll be ready to go! 

There are countless chair exercises you can do as a senior that will help to improve your balance, mobility, and strength. From basic stretches to weightlifting, you’ll be able to find an exercise you connect with. The good news is that there are plenty of free online resources that will point you in the right direction. A quick search on YouTube will turn up thousands of mat exercises for seniors videos for you to choose from. 

3. Start an Online Class 

If your brain has started to feel a bit under-stimulated during the lockdown, keep in mind that this is a completely normal feeling to have. That’s why we love the idea of starting an online class. Angela Stringfellow from Home Life Digest explains that joining an online class is one the best ways to keep your mind and/or body active during lockdown. 

“It can be all too easy to let the days drag on when you’re cooped up at home, but joining an online class will give you something productive to look forward to,” she says. “Whether you want to develop a new skill, learn more about a subject you’ve always been interested in, take up a new language, or join a fitness class, there’s a class out there for absolutely every senior.”

So how exactly do you find classes online? As we mentioned above, YouTube is a great free option, but it’s just the tip of the iceberg. A number of colleges offer free academic courses, many of which you can find at edX and Open Culture. Moreover, there are numerous institutions and businesses that are currently offering free courses during this period. If you don’t mind paying for a course, you can search for almost any course under the sun at a reputable course provider like Udemy. 

Conclusion

Lockdown isn’t easy, but you can make the most of this challenging time with the right mindset. It may be hard to find the motivation to keep your mind and body active with so much going on, but it’s pivotal to your continued mental and physical health. To help you get started, we’ve shared three of our favorite ideas. 

Of course, there are plenty more out there! We’d love to hear your own ideas, so feel free to share them in the comments below!

Author Bio
Monica Mizzi is a freelance writer and digital marketer with a soft spot for all fluffy creatures. She’s written 100+ articles about animal care, ranging from how to train puppies to the healthiest pet snacks on the market. She currently writes for Pet Life Today.