You Probably Don’t Need More HIIT During Your COVID-19 Lockdown

These circumstances surrounding COVID-19 are uncertain, ominous, and well… scary.

Business have closed, the economy is in shambles, and your life is more than likely completely flipped upside down. These are trying times as the unknowns about this situation are running amuck. The stress from all this is no doubt piling up, perhaps more for some than others.

But here’s the thing about stress. Your body doesn’t know the difference between mental stress from physical stress. It all handles it the same. Let us elaborate.

Your autonomic nervous system

Your autonomic nervous system is divided into two branches: the sympathetic and parasympathetic.

The sympathetic nervous system takes over during ‘flight or fight’ situations, aka perceived threats and high stress situations. Physiological responses to this flight or fight response include increased blood pressure, increased muscle tone, increased resting heart rate, decreased digestion, and essentially all sorts of things that would help you fight for you life or run away like your life depended on it.