Guest Post: 3 Ways to Good Health When Cooped up at Home

Posted by Matt on May 17th, 2010 at 11:04am

This guest post is contributed by Anna Miller, who writes on the topic of degrees online. She welcomes your comments at her email id: miller.an10@googlemail.com

There are times in life when good intentions are not enough for you to stick to your exercise routine and stay fit and healthy; you’re hampered by your physical inability, either illness or injury, and so unable to go out for your daily jog, play the sport you love, or even just horse around with your kids. I was cooped up at home for three months after my orthopedic diagnosed me with a torn meniscus (a ligament in the knee) and made me take a sabbatical from the tennis court and the jogging track in the park. At first, I went stir crazy; but then I figured that it was better to make do with what I had rather than crib about what I didn’t. So if you’re looking for ways to look after your health when illness or injury hampers you, here’s what you can do:

• Talk to your doctor about safe ways to exercise: There are ways to exercise safely when you’re injured if your doctor will allow it. The safest form of exercise is a walk, but if your knees or legs are the problem, then focus on your upper body and work out a few routines with your therapist or doctor. If you’re not allowed to bear weight on your knee, try cycling on a stationary bike – it provides a great cardio workout and keeps your spirits high. And some yoga stretches are safe for any kind of injury or chronic illness. It’s up to you to find a way to exercise safely.

 

• Adjust your diet accordingly: When you’re forced to move from leading an active life into a sedentary existence, you tend to put on weight because you don’t adjust your diet accordingly. Your body needs fewer calories than before because your activity level is low, so make the switch accordingly. Eat more of food that’s healthy like fruits, vegetables and wholegrain items. Reduce fatty and junk food, and avoid eating close to your bed time. Drink lots of water and avoid sugar and caffeine as much as you can.

 

• Get some fresh air: If you’re mobile, this is not a problem – you could always go out for a stroll or a short walk. But if you cannot walk, get someone to push your wheelchair out in the fresh air for an hour or so every day or alternate day. Keep the windows open in your bedroom for some part of the day instead of running the air conditioner all day and living in and breathing stale air. Fresh air is very important to good health, and when you’re an invalid or injured, it’s important that you get enough of it.

Tags: exercise, Health, weight loss, weight loss tips

Under Fitness Tags: exercise, Health, weight loss, weight loss tips