thehill.com – How to (safely) stay active while at home due to coronavirus — and why it’s so important

The easiest way to incorporate some movement into your days spent at home is by making room for it in your daily routine, and these breaks don’t have to be long either: scientists have found that even five minutes of aerobic exercise can stimulate anti-anxiety effects.

There are tons of positive effects for creating a daily routine, too, providing an anchor of comfort for us during an otherwise uncertain time. “Routine helps us cope with change, it helps to create healthy habits, and more importantly, it helps to reduce stress levels,” says Dr. Danielle Forshee, Psy.D., a Doctor of Psychology and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. “When your life is organized and set in a routine, you know exactly what to expect. This takes out the guessing of what is coming, alleviating the symptoms of anxiety. When we have routine, it actively works to respond to symptoms of mental health conditions and thoughts that may be making your life difficult.”