At home workouts to do between your mental workouts

Just because I am stuck in online school doesn’t mean I will lay on the floor all day

I don’t know about you, but online learning makes me tired. Personally, I am a hermit and can stay in my small apartment or practice room for days without feeling claustrophobic, but everyday around two o’clock I get a little bit sleepy. I could beat this fatigue with a nap, but I worry that during my sleep I will end up dreaming of my homework, or worse, sleeping through supper. If you, like me, are seeking alternatives to the often-risky option of a nap, you’re in luck! Being at home is the perfect time to check out some quick online workouts, and I am here to guide you through some of my favourite workouts for getting my mind working again.

The first thing I like to do before choosing my “pick me up” workout is ask myself what the source of my fatigue is. Perhaps I have just been sitting inside for too long and need to go for a walk. Maybe I am feeling a bit sluggish, so I need to do a short cardio burst to get my mind going. Maybe I feel detached from my own mind and body, in which case I need to do yoga or some muscle training. There is something for everyone on the internet. 

I think the best workout for when you are feeling brain dead is to go for a brisk walk. If you keep a close eye out, you will witness me going on a quick lap around the university three times a day; a walk gets my mind wandering so I can focus again. When it isn’t the dreaded -50 C, go for a walk outside! It is also a great excuse to go to a local coffee shop. 

My favourite workout for when I am physically sluggish is a quick dance or HIIT. I know it seems counterintuitive, but a quick workout between classes is often just the thing to make you feel better before you have to hit your 3 p.m. Psychology class (yawn). A good dance workout may even get your spirits up; there is a genre for everyone. I have seen a wide variety of TikTok songs, musical workouts, Taylor Swift dance parties, and even throw-back songs! Go forth and dance it out while you can. I am sure you would rather dance than listen to a lecture on moles (why is it called that)?

Finally, sometimes all we need is to walk away and have a nice stretch. I used to witness my dog do it all the time, so it must be the best decision. There are so many varieties of yoga online for different levels. If yoga is intimidating for you, I like to imagine it as a way to check in with my body. Sometimes I notice my right shoulder needs more stretching than my left, and then when I am at my laptop, I see I move forward with my right arm. Yoga and meditation are perfect for those moments when we are overwhelmed with our Calculus homework and need a moment to rest. 

So, go forth and discover a quick movement for you. Go outside! Stretch. Dance away! Think about what you need at the moment, and pick the workout for that, and if you’re lucky (or unlucky based on how my practice session is going that day), you may even see me on campus going for my walk.