AMES, Iowa -- If you're spending a lot of time sitting on the couch doing nothing right now, a new study says your mental health with benefit from getting up and doing something--even light activity.
"Maybe washing the dishes, or some light house work--these are examples of light activities" says Iowa State University assistant kinesiology professor Jacob Meyer.
He says if you're spending more time at home during the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak, that light activity can be something as simple as walking around your home office while talking on the phone.
He says the study also shows mental AND physical health benefits from getting off the couch in the evening for even an hour's more sleep.
"That's not something that necessarily makes that person who that person is. If we could figure out swap that time out just for sleeping more, that could be really impactful for the person" Meyer says.
He also says spending more time at home during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic may be a good time to change some habits when it comes to being active and getting more sleep.
"A major life event has happened--this pandemic has changed many people's behavior in many different ways. It's possible, and now might be an opportunity, for people to institute new behaviors that could stick around" Meyer says.
He says research on the study was done before COVID-19, bu it's results may be especially timely during the pandemic.