A routine is defined as a sequence of actions regularly followed. In the blink of an eye, the COVID-19 virus has altered each of our defined and refined daily routines. Part of your daily routine may have included going to the gym or participating in a group exercise class at a local fitness studio. While the doors to your local gym or fitness studio may be closed, there are ways to establish new routines from the comfort of your home.

Maintaining or improving your levels of physical activity can be good for your physical health and mental health. Stronger bones, lowering body fat, reducing your risk of diabetes, and lowering your blood pressure are a few of the health benefits of physical activity. Improved self-esteem, better sleep, lower rates of depression, and a more positive attitude towards life are a couple of the mental health benefits of physical activity.

We often think of physical activity as exercising at the gym or lifting weights. Gardening and landscaping are great ways to stay active while at home. Establishing new gardening and landscaping routines can help beautify your home and increase your physical activity. Between 150 and 600 calories can be burned per hour depending on the time and intensity of the gardening and landscaping. Here are a few examples of gardening and landscaping activities that can help you start a new routine.

Shoveling: 400-600 calories burned per hour
Mowing the lawn: 250-350 calories burned per hour
Raking and Bagging Leaves: 350-450 calories burned per hour
Laying landscaping fabric: 150-250 calories burned per hour
Pulling weeds: 200-400 calories per hour
Heavy yard work: 400-600 calories per hour
Clipping branches/twigs: 150-250 calories per hour