by Ryan Hahn
Photo credit: from Ontario Tech website
Since gyms were forced to close back in March because of the pandemic, many people have had to find creative ways to stay active while stuck at home.
One of these people is Luke Glendinning. The Durham College student said is regular routine of working out between classes completely flipped and he’s trying to find motivation while at home.
I talked to Glendinning and Angie Wood, fitness coordinator at FLEX at Durham College and Ontario Tech University about their experiences during COVID-19.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
How does fitness affect our mental health?
AW: We definitely know that it's important that our bodies move. Our bodies are meant to move and when we don't, we kind of feel this slump, we don't feel great, we have lack of motivation, lack of confidence and esteem. So, not only those physiological things that happen but it really does boost our mood. And one of the things I'm finding right now in this time is, the number one reason that people don't work out is they say they don't have time. Right now, unless you're a frontline worker, then you probably got lots of time, but people are really struggling with the motivation to be active.
How can we still be social with people? That’s a major part of going to the gym or playing sports in general.
AW: I think we have to get creative. Who would have ever thought that we are creating, hanging out in virtual meetings and doing virtual mindfulness? In terms of going back to mental health and mindfulness, we have an Ontario Tech campus mindfulness across campus where staff members lead some mindfulness sessions and they have been more well attended now than they were when it was face-to-face because people are just finding it more convenient. I can jump in for ten minutes and then leave when I have to go or have my next meeting or whatever. So, I think there's a lot of things that will carry over between, you know, the way things were and the way things are currently, and there'll be a blend of both of those.
Access to backyards and other places can be hard for some people. What do you suggest they do?
AW: You know, compared to here, it is hard because you're getting out and if you're downtown Toronto, it's going to be more challenging than I can hop in my backyard and not be around anybody. So, super fortunate depending on where you are, but I think we need to respect obviously what the guidelines are, but also not diminish our own health and wellness. Like, if you feel like, ‘oh my gosh, I'm going stir crazy in this house, I need to get out.’ That could be a time that you know, depending on what your restrictions are in your area, that you just need to get out and even if you have a lot of people say, ‘no, like, I just don't have the energy.’ If you go out or commit to five minutes, chances are once you're out, they’re going to feel so much better and want to continue.
What are you missing from going to the actual gym?
LG: One thing I was just going to say was, like you said, the camaraderie part of the gym is such a huge part of it. So, I definitely think that's going to be something that we're going to have to get used to, and it's going to change. But it actually might be for the better because I know myself, like, I'm guilty of it. There are times in the gym where I'm talking way too much. Sure, I'm not really focused on what I'm doing, I just want to get out and I think now that once I go back, it's just going to be all that fire, that motivation to get back and be healthy and kind of stay in that routine again, which is what so many of us are lacking right now.
What is it like as a student not having the gym to go to?
LG: I mean, waking up early for classes, and then you go to the gym in between classes, that's a great system and I find that it works very well. But when you don't have that, and you're at home and you don't really have any set things that you have to be doing that day, it’s kind of like Angie said, like you have all this time and sometimes I'm not even using it just because I just don't feel the motivation. But it's definitely important to try to almost force yourself. Just to do five to ten minutes, because once you start, I feel great and I'm like, okay, I feel more awake and I feel ready to go. So, I definitely think that's something that everybody should be doing. We all should be looking it as students. It's so important to exercise and just to keep your mental health at bay.
Comments