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The current Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic has forced most people worldwide to stay at home in order to flatten the curve. And, whether you've shifted to a study or work-from-home set-up, or you're just simply confined to your home in the meantime, there's undoubtedly a decrease in your physical activity since you no longer walk or commute to other places like usual.

While it can get really comfortable to just stay at home and do nothing, it can also potentially cause some health problems. So, the World Health Organization (WHO) reminds people to stay active at home while under quarantine.

Lack of physical activity can lead to health problems | @Pixabay (Pexels)

Inactivity leads to health problems

WHO reports that insufficient physical activity is one of the leading risk factors for deaths worldwide. And according to the data they've gathered, one in four adults lack physical activity, and 80% of the world's adolescent population is also not active enough.

WHO also warns that living a sedentary lifestyle is a key risk factor for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer.

So, in order for you to be at the pinkest of health, you must not only eat healthily; but also stay active.

How much physical activity is recommended?

The duration and intensity of physical activities that one must do in order to keep fit highly depends on one's state of health and age.

Here are WHO's recommendations:

People aged 5 to17 years old

• at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity daily
• muscle and bone-strengthening activities at least three times per week

People aged 18 to 64 years old

• at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week, or at least 75 minutes of vigorous physical activity weekly, depending on your capabilities
• muscle-strengthening activities involving major muscle groups for two or more days weekly

People aged 65 years old and above

• at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity weekly, or at least 75 minutes of vigorous physical activity per week, depending on your capabilities
• those with poor mobility should perform physical activity to enhance balance and prevent falls, three or more days per week.
• muscle-strengthening activities involving major muscle groups for two or more days a week

Tips on how to stay active at home

If you have no clue about what physical activities you can do at home, here are some suggestions from the World Health Organization:

How to stay active at home while under quarantine | @WHO (FB)

And, if you're studying or working from home and do not have much time for proper exercise, you can at least be mindful of your posture and blood circulation. Here are two simple steps on how you can stay physically healthy while working or studying at home:

How to be healthy while studying or working from home | @WHO (FB)

Why you should stay active at home

Increasing your physical activity has many health benefits. It will improve your cardiorespiratory fitness, and also the functional health of your muscles and bones. Moreover, it will reduce your risk of suffering from hypertension, stroke, diabetes, coronary heart disease, various types of cancer, and even depression.

So, while you're staying at home to prevent getting infected with the Coronavirus Disease -- and to also help flatten the curve -- might as well work on being at your healthiest state by staying physically active. Stay safe and healthy, mga Kapuso.

SOURCE:
https://www.facebook.com/WHO
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/physical-activity
https://www.who.int/health-topics/physical-activity

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