A better fighting chance

The delta variant's rampage throughout the world has created an uptick in hospitalisation cases in the 20-54 age group.

While there does not seem to be solid data to suggest increased virulence of the delta variant among young people, numbers of hospitalisation cases and breakthrough infections in the age group is an indication of the risks younger people face.

At the same time, research in the British Journal of Sports Medicine cites an association between serious Covid cases and physical inactivity. The study informs that being physically inactive increased the hospitalisation risk 2.26-fold in people aged 18 and above.

Physical activity, during the pandemic, can provide the immune system the required boost to fight the virus in the event one happens to contract it.

The World Health Organization believes all adults over the age of 18 should at least spend 150 minutes in moderate-intensity physical activity throughout the week. In practical terms, that is just a little over 20 minutes of stretching, a light run, a couple of sets of push-ups, or even yoga every day.

Alternatively, you can choose to spend 75 minutes per week doing high-intensity workouts. That will be 25 minutes of muscle workouts, fast cardio, and bodyweight training spread across three days of the week.

In addition to a boosted immune system, one will experience better mood while stuck at home during lockdowns or while working from home. With the recent trends in Covid-19 cases, it seems as good a time as any to work up a sweat.