Just when it looked like we might be escaping the clutches of the COVID-19 pandemic earlier this year, the Delta variant has circled the globe and is now having a rapid impact on the United States. Unfortunately, studies have shown that this variant is more contagious and could lead to hyperlocal epidemics. Already, other variants have started to appear, indicating that this virus is evolving at a rapid pace. So let’s take a look at how you can exercise during the pandemic without spreading new virus variants and what benefits you get from it.
How to exercise during the pandemic and stay virus-free
If your regular focus on health and fitness is absolutely essential exercise during the pandemic, there’s no doubt that the virus and its mutations have thrown a wrench in your exercise routine. For much of 2020, gyms across the country had to close. Now some may be closing their doors again or putting practices in place to keep people safe.
What will it look like in the future? To understand how this virus and others could impact the world – including where to train – it’s important to know how and why they are changing, and what you can do to keep yourself and others safe. your community. Is it stressful to think about how quickly these issues can change? Absolutely. But, by learning more about them and knowing what you can do, you can take care of your mental health and your physical health at the same time.
Why do viruses evolve?
It might have seemed at first that the COVID-19 virus came out of nowhere. Although we know that’s not true, it showed us how quickly viruses can spread. Now, thanks to the news surrounding the Delta variant, people are increasingly interested in how viruses evolve and how they can mutate and spread so quickly. According to the “Brief History of Pandemics”, a virus of this magnitude occurs approximately once per century. Some notable past pandemics include: No matter how many variants come our way, you should always exercise during the pandemic.
- The spanish flu
- Ebola
- HIV and AIDS
- SARS
But why do some viruses cause epidemics and others do not? Several factors must be considered, including population density and cultural norms. The COVID-19 pandemic is believed to have started in China, known for its dense population as well as shipping and tourism practices. Technology has also made it easier for individuals to travel around the world. If one person has a virus, think about how quickly and easily they could pass it on to another, and so on.
Some viruses are also better at adapting to conditions than others. This is when new mutations occur. This is why there are different strains of flu almost every year. According to WHO, when a virus circulates in a population like COVID, it is easier for mutations to form and new variants to start appearing. Because this particular virus has been so prevalent across the world, it should come as no surprise that so many different variants are once again trying to take over the population. A great immune system can fight off any virus, which is why you should exercise during the pandemic.
What does the future hold?
Educating yourself about virus variants and how to stay safe should be your top priority for getting back to your standard fitness routine and exercising during the pandemic. The best people to listen to are our scientists and epidemiologists. They are the people who provide research-backed data to help healthcare professionals make stronger, more informed decisions about best practices. Epidemiologists collect and analyze data before passing it on to the health industry to make recommendations. Throughout this pandemic, all the protocols and practices put in place are the result of research carried out by epidemiologists, in particular:
- Social distancing
- Wash one’s hands
- Wearing a mask
- Vaccination
If everyone decided to follow these recommendations, things would return to “normal” more quickly. Unfortunately, the longer people don’t follow them, the easier it will be for viruses to keep mutating and getting stronger.
What does this mean for the future of gyms, fitness classes, and even ballgames in the park? Unfortunately, things might not go back to the normal you’re used to for a while. Some gyms may close completely. Others might have limited hours due to staffing issues. The class you loved taking every Tuesday morning might not come back.
Therefore, to stay healthy, you may need to consider other ways to exercise during the pandemic to get maximum health benefits. But it shouldn’t stop there.
What can you do to stay safe and stay fit? : exercising during the pandemic
Your main goal should be to stay as healthy as possible. This includes exercise, of course, and there are plenty of ways to train every day, including:
- Running/jogging
- Build a home gym
- Make workout videos
- Exercise at a local park
- Take an outdoor fitness class
- Play sports
But staying truly healthy isn’t just about exercising regularly. With these new variants emerging, the best thing you can do to benefit from exercise during a pandemic is to take the necessary precautions to stay safe and focus on your overall health, not just your fitness. Make sure you get enough sleep, eat properly, and practice good hygiene. These things can help boost your immune system, which will make it easier to fight off more contagious variants and any other viruses that try to bring you down. Remember that all of this can happen again at any time. While it’s not necessarily fun to think about, it’s better to be prepared than to be taken by surprise.
In addition to protecting yourself, getting involved in your community and exercising during the pandemic, make sure others are doing the same. The more people know about the variants and what they can do, the more likely they are to take action to protect themselves and others.
One of the major issues with COVID-19 is trust. People have apprehensions about almost everything, from the virus itself to the rollout of the vaccine. When you educate yourself, you can be a shining light to others and educate them in the same way. When more people see the truth about the virus and vaccines, they are more likely to take the action they need for their own health.
Will we ever get back to normal? Maybe not. But that doesn’t mean the “new” normal can’t be just as good. We just have to get there first, and that requires mastering today’s and tomorrow’s virus variants. Think especially of the benefits of exercise in this pandemic era.
