in these difficult times, social distancing is a necessity for many people. Those with underlying conditions like diabetes, heart problems, high blood pressure, and cancer seem to be more susceptible to complications from COVIC-19. So is anyone with a weakened immune system.

But if you’ve spent more than a couple of days home alone, there are other problems to negotiate. It’s tempting to watch every news update, just for some social connection, but focussing on all the bad news can cause even greater anxiety.

Fortunately, many capable and wonderful people have already started to make tools available to help. From symptom checking to meditation, online puzzles to exercise, there are suddenly thousands of tools to help keep us sane. We at Zibrio want to connect you to the help you need, and we’ll be running a series of blog posts to do just that.

We’ve already covered some ideas in general terms in this post.

Today we’ll start with exercise:

Physical fitness is not only one of the most important keys to a healthy body, it is the basis of dynamic and creative intellectual activity.

- John F Kennedy

The human body needs to exercise to work properly. If you haven’t had time before, you now have the perfect excuse to make a start. If you’re missing your usual endorphin fix, we have some ideas to tide you over and keep you going. You may even find something new you hadn’t expected to like.

Doing exercise helps us sleep better, reduces anxiety, reduces aches and pains associated with arthritis, poor posture. It also boosts your mood and helps your brain stay active.

Check With Your Gym

Already have a gym membership? Many have made classes available online via YouTube, Facebook or their websites.

Curves Gyms are promoting #ExerciseIsNotCanceled and offer MyCurves On Demand classes for members to work out at home, or anywhere, using minimal or no gym equipment. Get in contact via your local club or the link above.

The YMCA has a program of exercise classes for older adults (as well as kids and other adults) in their Y360 program available via the link above and on YouTube. You do not need to be a member to access the material and they cover cardio, strength, zumba, yoga and tai chi.

Silver Sneakers has a series of online workouts available to members via their website and also does short sessions of 1-4 exercises via their Facebook page for free.

Trusted Internet Sources

While there are many workout videos available on the web, it’s important to pick one that will help you at your current level and safely help you progress. Now is certainly not the time to overtrain and need medical help for recovery! Make sure you’re using reliable sources, run by trainers with experience of appropriate exercises for older adults.

The National Institute on Aging's Go4Life program has some good exercises for home use on their YouTube channel, split into the following groups:

• Stretching

• Building Strength

• Balance

Personal Trainers

If you already have a personal trainer, speak to them about adapting your routine. If you’re curious about trying this out but don’t know anyone locally, we can recommend our Balance Ambassadors, all of whom have balance training and training older adult qualifications, along with nationally recognized fitness qualifications. You can find out more about them on the Balance Ambassador page.

A note on Technology: Exercise classes are best viewed on the largest screen you have, but it’s just as important to make sure you have space to do the movements - and access to good support like countertops or sturdy chairs to do them.

If you have space in your living room, check to see if your TV offers direct access to YouTube. This is often the case with cable companies and can be found in the ‘app’ section. Some remotes allow you to hold down a microphone button and speak what you’re searching for.

Allow yourself to experiment. Maybe there’s more space in another room, and you have a tablet or laptop you can use. The beauty of online courses is you can take the same one as often as you like, so if the first attempt doesn’t go so well, just pause it and try again.