Two years into the pandemic, a lot of us may have adopted a sedentary lifestyle. Now that quarantine measures are less stringent, we now have more opportunities to kickstart our fitness journey. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends having at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week for adults aged 18—64 years.
As a company concerned with people’s health and wellbeing, AXA Philippines, one of the leading insurance providers in the country, shares some fitness tips to slowly but surely become more active again:
Working from home has removed the physical effort of walking around an office and commuting to work. However, it is still easy to sneak in a few minutes of physical activity even for those already back in the office. As a general rule, experts say it is ideal to stand up and do some light activity after 30 minutes of sitting such as walking or stretching for at least five minutes.
Being physically active does not just mean doing aerobic exercises such as jumping jacks and push-ups. Doing your laundry, cleaning around the house, and walking your dog count as what experts call non-exercise activity thermogenesis and can expend as much energy as exercise does.
Being at home also has the biggest advantage as it is easier to sneak in several minutes of workout than in an office. The goal is to be able to incorporate this activity into your lifestyle long-term so you have to make sure that what you are doing is enjoyable and accessible for you.
Everyone will have varying fitness journeys and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to it— the important thing is to make movement a part of your daily routine. AXA Philippines Chief Customer Officer Nandy Villar says, “Proactively caring for your health is essential in achieving your goals and preserving your wellbeing not just for yourself but for your loved ones, too. From self-care to full medical care, we at AXA Philippines can be your expert partner in your wellbeing journey, protection of health, and continuity of care.”
