5-minute breathing ‘workout’ may benefit heart and brain health

With the increasing risk of heart diseases, type 2 diabetes, and infections such as COVID-19, it is important to include exercise in your routine, to ensure a fit and healthy body, and boosted immunity. For someone who has been dodging exercise for a long time, here is a 5-minute full-body workout that will help give you a kick-start. Ditch all excuses of no time, or no space, and get on with this quick home workout.

Lunges

Lunges are a great exercise for the thighs and the legs. They move the whole body, focusing on the glutes and the hamstrings. Lunges can help improve the posture of the back and neck as well. Stand straight, with your legs shoulder-width apart. Moving one leg forward, bend it on the knee, at a 90-degree angle. Let the other leg stay back, as straight as possible. Continue for one minute.

Leg raises

An exercise that really works up your core muscles and legs, is the leg raises. Lie down on your back, bring both your legs up, straight, at a 90-degree angle to the rest of your body. Keeping one leg stationary, drop the other one, bring it close to the ground, but do not touch. The leg should not get support from the floor. Raise it back up, and repeat with the other leg. While this exercise sounds easy, it is sure to give you a good burn of calories.

Stationary run

You can do this exercise to warm up your body as well. Stand at one place and quickly move your legs, as if you are running. Be as fast as you can, and do this for one minute. You will notice yourself pumped with energy, with a higher heart rate, and ready for more exercises.

Surya Namaskar

Exercise is not limited to one type, and different types can also be joined together to make an effective exercise routine. Surya namaskar involves stretching and use of almost the whole body. Therefore, you can include Surya Namaskar as a way of stretching as well. This will help reduce tension in your muscles and help prevent, relieve any pain.