CERN’s Occupational Health service is publishing regular articles* to help you stay in good mental and physical health during the lockdown. This week, here are some tips for keeping fit and physically active at home, even if it’s not always easy.
A sedentary lifestyle or even just a low level of physical activity can have harmful effects on your health, well-being, quality of sleep and, more generally, quality of life. Physical activity and relaxation exercises are valuable tools for reducing stress, preventing muscle pain and thus staying in good health, throughout your life and, even more so, during lockdown.
As a reminder, the WHO recommends 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity (or a combination of the two). Even at home, in a small space and without any sports equipment, it is entirely possible to follow these recommendations.
Here are some tips for keeping fit:
- Set aside time in your schedule to take care of yourself and do some physical exercise.
- Take active breaks during your working day: make the most of any opportunity to move around and get some fresh air! If you’re teleworking, take a break to play with your children, for example, or to do a household task.
- Don’t miss the live fitness sessions provided by the Occupational Health service in collaboration with Activ’ Santé! Join at Activ@Work on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 6 p.m. to 6.40 p.m. The sessions will be devoted to different themes, including relaxation and flexibility, and some will be energetic, aiming to get the cardio-respiratory system going and build overall muscle strength, as well as improving the body’s general equilibrium. Make sure you have at hand a chair, a towel, a gym mat (if possible) and a bottle of water.
- Have a look at the CERN clubs website. Some of the clubs are offering online exercise classes that are open to everyone, including non-members. Or make the most of the countless fitness classes, yoga and meditation sessions and other similar options that are cropping up everywhere online.
- Above all, don’t forget to stay within your limits!
- And remember, for optimal health: eat healthily and stay hydrated! Next week, Novae’s dietician will have some tips on how to maintain a balanced diet.
If you need any advice, please don’t hesitate to contact us at medical.service@cern.ch.
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*Don’t forget to have a look at the Occupational Health service’s eight tips to help you stay in good mental and physical health during the lockdown. And click here for some advice on making your telework space more ergonomic.