Exercising despite COVID-19 – Online options, health coaches available via Purdue

We’ve all been told physical activity is important in our daily lives to help keep our physical and mental well-being healthy. That’s especially important now, as we continue to limit our movement due to COVID-19 while our anxiety and stress levels may continue to increase from the unknown.  

According to Cheryl Laszynski, registered nurse health coach at the Center for Healthy Living on Purdue’s West Lafayette campus, even taking short breaks throughout the day is beneficial.

“You don’t have to overthink it or make it difficult – becoming more active can be very simple,” Laszynski said. “For instance, getting up for as little as three to five minutes to move around, stretch or take a short walk provides endless benefits for tired, tense and stressed bodies and minds.”

Regular exercise can do even more for your health. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s “Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition,” those who are physically active are healthier, feel better and are less likely to develop many chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, to name a few. Those who do the equivalent of at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week reap additional benefits including lower risk of anxiety and depression along with improved sleep.

Right now, exercise might seem difficult, as individuals continue to work remotely from their homes and business closures remain in effect for many, including gyms and fitness centers. However, there are a variety of online exercise options available, from the community as well as Purdue, which support the physical health and behavioral health pillars of the Healthy Boiler Program. Purdue’s virtual exercise options include:

  • Yoga at Home Two types of yoga practice are available. Led by Erin Brocka, assistant director of strength & conditioning, Purdue Intercollegiate Athletics Administration

    Note: New content is added to the playlists below each week; if you subscribe to the channel or playlist, you will get updates when new content has been uploaded.

    • Yoga Flow - Each video in the series is approximately 20 minutes long and designed to be done as a break in your day or as part of your morning routine.
    • Journey Into Power: Building SequenceThese sessions are building blocks for Journey into Power (JIP), which is made up of 11 sequences. Each week we add to the sequences building up to a 60-minute yoga practice.
  • RecWell Virtual Programming – Offered by Purdue’s Recreation & Wellness, RecWell Virtual Programming is a weekly updated collection of video classes on group fitness, wellness and cooking aimed at building strong bodies and minds. In response to COVID-19, these resources are open to everyone – even those who do not have memberships. (Note: RecWell financial counseling, wellness coaching and nutrition consultations are for University students only.)

  • Take a Yoga Break – Live, weekly WebEx yoga classes, Wednesdays from noon to 1 p.m.; Led by Purdue Fort Wayne Health Coach, Lindsay Bloom.

    When it's time, join the WebEx meeting.
    Meeting number: 612 289 539
    Meeting Password: One2One

  • LIVE High Intensity Interval Training (HiiT) Sessions – Every Tuesday and Thursday at 3 p.m. EST via Zoom; Led by Erin Brocka, assistant director of strength & conditioning, Purdue Intercollegiate Athletics Administration

    • On Tuesday and Thursday Brocka will be LIVE on Zoom bringing you "High Intensity Interval Training" Don't let the name keep you from joining in, all levels are welcomed, all exercises can be modified and jumping is not required!
    • What you'll need for HiiT...you! At times we will use household items such as: canned goods, chair, a roll of TP, etc. Brocka suggest putting on a pair of workout shoes unless you train barefoot regularly. Again, I highly suggest keeping a glass/bottle of water nearby.
    • How you get there:
      • On your computer: go to http://zoom.us
      • Click: Join a Meeting
      • Type in Meeting ID: 627-590-6820
      • Session will begin promptly at 3 p.m. ET; you will be able to join the meeting at least five minutes prior to the start time.

For those interested in partnering with a health coach for support, motivation, ideas and more, you can schedule a telehealth appointment with a health coach at the Center for Healthy Living (CHL) on Purdue’s West Lafayette campus or at Purdue’s Fort Wayne campus; both telehealth options are available for all benefits-eligible employees and dependents covered on a Purdue health plan:

Be sure to check the Healthy Boiler Workshops web page occasionally for updated physical health and behavioral health workshop options. 

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