Even though our masks are coming off across the country, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are still affecting how we work, live, and take care of our health. Those who needed skilled nursing during the pandemic experienced the effects of the pandemic profoundly and gained fresh perspectives on the benefits of health care at home.

The pandemic kept many patients within nursing facilities, hospitals, and other group health care settings where they were at a high risk of virus exposure, isolated from friends and family even as they were living out their final days.

For many of us, staying active during the warmer months comes easily. Whether you take morning walks, swim laps, garden, or attend outdoor dance lessons, there seems to be no shortage of physical activities to enjoy. However, as the weather turns cold and the leaves disappear, so do the opportunities for comfortable outdoor recreation.

Although we may enjoy hibernating until spring, the fact remains that physically activity is essential to both physical and mental health, and the National Physical Activity Guidelines advise people to engage in 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each week. With indoor activities restricted due to COVID-19, older adults are finding more creative ways to stay active. Here are some fun ideas for getting physically active at home while sheltering in place:

Limiting social contact, avoiding public gatherings, and staying home are essential for reducing exposure to COVID-19. The challenge for many older adults during this pandemic is figuring out how to safely socially distance without socially isolating. Lack of in-person contact is a major risk factor that has been linked with poor physical and mental health, especially in older adults. With so much at stake, proactive steps need to be taken in order to prevent social isolation during quarantine.

Fortunately, in today’s digital age, there are lots of options for connection. Whether you are looking for COVID-friendly ways to celebrate a birthday or options for every day communication, we’ve compiled some creative ideas for older adults who want to stay virtually connected to loved ones during COVID-19.

As COVID-19 cases continue to climb, social distancing remains an important tool for keeping the virus from spreading. While this is an essential step we should all be taking, it is especially important for older adults who are more susceptible to COVID.

But how do we keep ourselves and our loved ones physically healthy without it taking a toll on our mental health?