Does anyone notice how the popularity and the sale of bicycles have probably tripled since last year? On weekends, there are perhaps different groups of cyclists on all kinds of bicycles riding along the National Highway going both ways to the north or south of Dumaguete City, and mountain bikers trekking the trails and roads of Valencia, Dauin, or Sibulan.
It’s also a common site to see people do their early morning walks along the Boulevard, and join the regular Zumba classes that fill up the space, carefully social distancing themselves.
I have also noticed a growing number of road runners during the early morning hours, either running alone or in groups. The long-time runners are always out there doing their daily run routines; there are some newbie runners, too, perhaps high school athletes trying to stay in shape since there are no school sports competitions this time.
Not all physical activities are necessarily done outdoors. There are several other exercises of all sorts that many can opt to find in YouTube channels and in some TV channels. There are also different kinds of group exercises, yoga classes, and virtual cycling sessions — which some find a much safer, and more convenient option of not having to go out of their living space.
These observable changes basically show that more local people now practice an active lifestyle since the pandemic began last year. These fitness and wellness enthusiasts must be doing this for various health reasons, as it was also declared by the World Health Organization that regular exercise could boost the immune system — a very important factor to shield us from getting infected by the deadly virus.
Physical activity releases endorphins, a chemical in our brain that revitalizes our mind and body, and helps improve health.
The production of endorphins through exercise reduces pain, and improves our physical and emotional mood, which is important in fighting boredom, especially older people who tend to spend more time inside the house.
Research shows that even a single session of exercise can increase the production of antioxidants in our body.
However, mere exercise doesn’t replace eating foods that are high in antioxidants like blueberries, dark chocolates, strawberries, kale, spinach, and beans, to name a few. Immune-boosting antioxidants and anti-inflammatory foods such as ginger and turmeric have also been found to help fight against infection from CoViD-19.
Engaging in physical activities improves our mental state in preventing depression and anxiety that people can experience due to the emotional impact of lockdowns and restricted socialization with other people.
As well, there is a downside for doing physical activities when done extremely or when overdoing an exercise regimen that leaves the body feeling tired all the time.
As much as we want to stay healthy, doing too much physical activity could also lower the immune system.
If you are new to a particular exercise regimen, a gradual increase in intensity and duration must be kept in mind. It is also important to take that much-needed rest day or two, to recharge the body.
For example, if you had newly-acquired a bicycle, and have never ridden in a few years, you can restart with a 30-45 minute ride, two to three times a week around town at an easy pace, avoiding hilly terrains. Then perhaps you can do something more challenging like a smooth uphill ride on the weekends, mixing it with other exercises during the week (like swimming, jogging or yoga), with the all-too-important rest periods in between. You would have to back off from exercise when feeling fatigued. It’s a sign that the body needs a break from the physical strain. Therefore, the need to listen to your body.
To stay healthy in this fight against CoViD-19, we need to combine regular exercise with nutritious foods, adequate sleep of about eight hours, and rest between physical activities. And to always follow the protocol of always wearing facemask, constant hand-washing for 20 seconds, and social distancing.
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Author’s email: Ironmandario@gmail.com
