blog: just keep moving, moving, moving!

How to Deal (during COVID): Just Keep Moving, Moving, Moving!

By Gabby (headspace Adelaide Community Engagement Officer)

Hello there! I’m Gabby (can be seen in a little square above!) and I’m a part of the Community Engagement Team at headspace Adelaide.

Welcome to my fourth blog of a series I like to call How to Deal (during COVID).

Sure enough many things have changed over the past few months for all of us, many are now working from home or studying online. Our routines have all changed, we aren’t commuting to work or school and I’m sure a lot of us are using that time for more sleep or alike. And I don’t know about you but I’ve been spending so much more time sitting at my computer and all that incidental activity during my daily routine has basically disappeared.

This is why I’ve been making an extra effort to just keep moving, moving, moving (as Dory would say of swimming)!! I’ve been getting out of bed at the same time as I normally would and using that ‘travel’ time to go for a morning run before sitting down at my desk all day.

I’m not saying you have to go for a run like me every morning don’t worry (you either love it or you hate it!) but I do think we should all think about the importance of exercise and activity in not only keeping our bodies fit and healthy, but in maintaining our mental health too, especially during COVID-19.

So, what are you doing to keep moving in iso?

Think about what you enjoy doing that is physically active and do that every day for just thirty minutes! Whether that is going for a walk down at the beach or at your local park, kicking the footy or soccer ball in your yard, or rallying with a tennis ball in your driveway like my boyfriend and I have been doing nightly (PS I’m winning)!

And if you’re still a bit unsure of your activity of choice… well headspace, along with The Australasian College of Sport and Exercise Physicians want to encourage all Australians to keep moving during COVID-19 so they have provided ideas on how we might all incorporate more activities in our day. From yoga, dance, Pilates, walking, jogging, gardening, skipping or cycling they share lots of idea of how to aim for at least 30 minutes of physical activity a day! Take a look at our Keep Moving campaign with them to find inspiration for staying fit during COVID-19 isolation.

I’ve also found that catching up with a friend for a walk is a great way to keep up my social connections and stay active whilst sticking to the distancing guidelines. So, if you haven’t used a beach walk for an excuse to catch up with a friend why not try that… or try doing an online fitness program or a yoga class on Instagram Live, or challenge your friends to all take part in the Push-Up Challenge (3,046 push-ups over 21 days from May 11 to help push for better mental health!).

These are all great ways to keep up your physical and mental health during this time! So, trial what I’m doing and schedule active breaks if you are working or studying from home and GO OUTSIDE (if you can) to enjoy the beautiful nature Adelaide has to offer. Try these things because keeping active:

• Gives you more energy
• Improves your mood
• Helps your immune system
• Keeps you busy

Whatever it is; just keep moving, moving, moving!

I’m going to be adding to this blog series How to Deal (during COVID) on the weekly, with different topics and tips on how to get yourself and the ones you love through this not so normal time.

So as always; stay tuned….

When should I get help?

If you ever feel unable to cope because of overwhelming or intense emotions, or if you have any thoughts of harming yourself, then ask for help immediately.

National 24/7 crisis services

Lifeline: 13 11 14 or lifeline.org.au

Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467 or suicidecallbackservice.org.au

beyondblue: 1300 224 636 or beyondblue.org.au

Additional youth support services 

headspace: visit headspace.org.au to find your nearest centre or call headspace on 1800 650 890

Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 or kidshelpline.com.au

ReachOut: reachout.com.au

SANE Australia: 1800 187 263 or sane.org