physical fitness

How do we fight quarantine fatigue? It’s easier than you think

Patricia Li

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How do we fight quarantine fatigue? It’s easier than you think
‘The ocean is COVID-19, and we’re not seeing land anywhere’ – behavioral health therapist Jane Pernotto Ehrman

Your environment affects you. This much we all know. It affects your happiness and stress levels, which, in turn, influences how you perform at work and even at home. And the kind of environment we are in now is something that we’re not used to, giving birth to experiences we’re dealing with for the first time.

When the quarantine was first implemented, we called it cabin fever. Eventually, the term quarantine fatigue was coined. The World Health Organization (WHO) alternatively calls it COVID-19 fatigue. It’s how even though we’re just at home, we still feel exhausted. Apparently, it’s because the “sacrifices” we’re doing to help fight the virus – like not going out, distancing ourselves from people – are taking a toll on us.  

Steps to overcoming quarantine fatigue

Recognizing this problem is the first step to getting better.

The second step is learning what worsens the condition so you can avoid it. We may not be able to escape quarantine restrictions, but there are other factors in our lives that can worsen our mental and physical state.

For one, the work-from-home set-up is a tricky thing. While many of us can definitely consider ourselves lucky that we can work from home, this also means that if we’re not careful, we’ll be hunched over our computers all day without interruption, leading us to the slippery slope of a sedentary lifestyle.

When we live a  sedentary lifestyle, our muscles tend to weaken because we don’t use them much. We also walk less every day, which isn’t ideal for our cardiovascular health

So what can we do about this?

Physical exercise isn’t only strongly recommended to maintain good health, it’s also very therapeutic physically and mentally during this pandemic. It gives us time to breathe and to clear our heads. When everything happening around us is a turn-of-the-head, dedicating an hour or two to stay active can help us get through the rough days.

Anlene’s “Kilos Tayo Araw-Araw Movement” wants to help you with that.

Anlene Philippines aims to educate and inspire Filipino adults to proactively take care of their bodies through exercise and nutrition. Especially with our limited spaces these days, the choice to build healthy everyday habits is a conscious effort. 

How do we fight quarantine fatigue? It’s easier than you think

Even if you don’t have the time, practicing being active while you go about your day is already a big step in the right direction. 

If you’re looking for something to start the day with, a sun salutation exercise is good for everybody, even for beginners. Just remember to take it slow. Regularly practicing sun salutations benefits the heart, liver, intestine, stomach, chest, throat, legs, and backbone. 

If you’re a beginner, just be easy on yourself. You don’t have to do everything perfectly.

Of course, if your body was used to heavy exercises pre-pandemic, then breaking that routine is guaranteed to shut your body down. If you’re not into your usual heavy exercise at home, try doing these 20-minute exercises at Anlene’s “Kilos Tayo” playlist to change it up and at the same time feeding your body the habits it craves.

The human body just isn’t designed for inactivity. In fact, low levels of physical activity are largely associated with common and chronic diseases. Now that we’re always at home and in the middle of a pandemic, it’s essential we take care of our health better.

The importance of nutrition

You can’t spend energy when you don’t take any in. The proper nutritional intake sustains us throughout the day, keeps away illnesses, and even improves our mental health. 

Exercise and nutrition go hand in hand. In fact, according to registered dietician nutritionist Jo-Ann Verdadero-Salamat, a proper diet isn’t actually that difficult to follow. With the exception of sugar, the key is “you can eat anything as long as you burn it.” 

To be in tiptop shape and be able to battle illnesses, we need to supply our body with the right nourishment. A common misconception is that we no longer need to take in calcium as young adults, but the truth is, calcium absorption decreases as we age. It’s extra important that we keep a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables and regularly drink milk that’s right for our age and needs.

Anlene Movemax has two times more calcium than regular milk for stronger bones, high protein for muscles, collagen for joints, and immunity building nutrients such as vitamins C, A, E, and zinc. This unique mix of nutrients help strengthen bone, joint, and muscle health 

Learn to say no

Lastly, allow yourself to rest. You’ll always have the time for your responsibilities. Say no to that nagging voice in your head to finish everything and more at the end of the day. 

If possible, set a time at night where you can put your work apps on silent mode. You can do this by tinkering with your phone settings. 

It’s not easy, especially when your workstation is just a few steps away from your bed, but you’d be surprised how easy it is to be consistent once you’ve built your habits. 

Always remember: we work to live, not live to work. 

Anlene’s “Kilos Tayo Araw-Araw Movement” reminds us that we need to make time for ourselves. With a strong community and free online workouts, treat yourself to a few minutes of me-time every day. – Rappler.com

For more health tips, visit Anlene Philippines’ YouTube page.

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Anlene helps men and women embrace life with the freedom to move, so they can get the most out of every day!