Everyone is encouraged to stay home and practice social distancing during these challenging times. Daily, we get updates telling us to shelter in place and only leave our homes for essential errands such as grocery shopping, work, or pharmacy pickup. This does not include working out at the gym or participating in group sports or physical activities.
As a result, it can be easy to become sedentary, and it can lead to mental and physical health problems. Thinking of accessible and affordable ways to keep moving and healthy will become critical as we work through this crisis. Fortunately, for people with visual impairments, there are several ways of staying active during COVID-19.
Dancing
Dancing is a fun physical activity that can be done at home. Find a clear space to move freely without bumping into furniture or other objects. Create a playlist of your favorite high-energy songs and get moving around the house. While the music is cranked up, move your body, including arms, legs, feet, shoulders, and back. As you move vigorously to the beat, your heart rate will increase, resulting in a great aerobic workout.
Blind Alive
If you have two left feet and dancing is not your thing, check out Blind Alive. These free downloadable workouts will keep you moving while sheltering in place. Several options are available, such as cardio, yoga, pilates, stretches, and meditation. You can download all workouts to your smartphone, desktop, or laptop, unzip them, and place them on an NLS talking book cartridge.
Accessible Exercise Apps
If you are techy, there are accessible exercise apps on the market that you can use from home. Three iOS examples are Pocket Yoga, Carrot Fit, and the Aaptiv Audio Exercise apps.
Angel Eyes Fitness
Angel Eyes Fitness has the answer for those who want a human personal touch but are trying to maintain social distancing. They provide free virtual live workout classes via Zoom Conferencing for people who are blind or visually impaired. The classes are on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays from 12 p.m. until 1 p.m. EST. Go to their website to preview their classes using the calendar link and connect to Zoom. There is no need to register or RSVP.
Hadley Institute for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Perhaps you already have an at-home workout routine or schedule but need to stay motivated and inspired. Join the Hadley Institute for the Blind and Visually Impaired’s Get Up and Go! Discussion Group. Each month, a topic is discussed to encourage people to stay active no matter their level of vision. Participants can call in by phone or computer using Zoom conferencing.
Other Ways of Staying Active During COVID-19
There are numerous ways to stay physically active at home. Gardening, walking up and down stairs, completing household chores, and taking a short brisk walk around the neighborhood keep the body moving.
Whether you have been working out regularly or just recently decided to get active, incorporate the above suggestions into your life as we all continue staying active during COVID-19.
