Mantra For Overcoming Stay-At-Home Inertia

The on-going Covid-19 led-lockdown phase has witnessed corporate executives exhibiting self-drive in keeping themselves productive viz fitness regimes, hobbies, and new initiatives. Corporate Citizen interacted with Arjun Bajaj, Director, Videotex International, Daiwa and Telefunken, on his ‘lockdown’ status. Bajaj’s mantra for overcoming the “stay-at-home inertia” has been to self-motivate his passion for “workouts” by switching gears to YouTube fitness channels and several fitness apps

“During these gloomy times, it is important to do the things that make you happy, for me – it is fitness”

Feeling frustrated in this lockdown period is quite natural. However, that does not mean one can compromise health and fitness. Keeping that mantra alive in me, I have found my own unique routine, to keep myself motivated and also staying fit”, said Arjun Bajaj, Director – Videotex, Daiwa and Telefunken.

Bajaj has had a long lineage in the television manufacturing industry with the 34-year-old flagship company Videotex - one of India’s premier LED television ODM (original design) and OEM (original equipment manufacturer). The company sells its own home-owned TV brands under the Daiwa, Telefunken and Shinco mantle and also manufactures TVs for 25 brands. The company is currently the official brand licensee of the German-Telefunken brand, with close to 7% market share in Europe.

Fighting Fit ‘Virtually’

An advocate of regular fitness regimes, he continues to enhance the need for doing the things that helps derive happiness at the individual level. “During these gloomy times, it is important to do the things that make you happy, for me – it is fitness,” said Bajaj.

He has found his fitness inspirations in YouTube fitness channels and other fitness apps and believes in the completeness of such channels which comes with a handy guide on indoor workouts. “Whether you are willing to pay for an app or find free options, the choices are now endless,” he said.

“Making the most of the online world, exercising daily strengthens the immune system, improves mental health, and makes you feel better about yourself during this frightening time”, said Bajaj.

Daily Dose of ‘Fitness’

The impact of the ‘lockdown’ has not demotivated Bajaj as he continues to keep up with his regular cycle of workout and lifestyle management as he did in the pre-Covid-19 phase.

Beginning his day at 7 am, he hits on to his workout schedules from 8 am, which is usually a combination of functional and body weight-led exercise. A believer in staying fit, his treadmill at home has made it easier for him to match his workouts with an iota of cardio training.

In his recent adaptation to fitness apps, he has also taken up some online fitness challenges through these apps.

To add a fun factor to his regime, and cut the boredom of exercising alone, he often invites his friends to join in his fight for staying fit in these trying times. “I have nominated a few of my friends for some of these app-based fitness challenges, thus attempting to spread some positive vibes”

Besides, he keeps a close watch on his food intake and plugs in his daily intake of calories too. “I try to take my daily intake of 2200 calories with minimum consumption of two and a half litres of water.”

Health Tips

A study from the University of California, San Diego found that specific neurotransmitters switched following sustained exercise, leading to improved learning for motor-skill acquisition. “If you hope to learn and enjoy challenging sports such as surfing or rock climbing when we’re no longer sheltering at home, it can be good to routinely run on a treadmill or maintain a yoga practice at home now.”

- Hui-quan Li, Assistantproject Scientist, University of California, San Diego

Self-Drive

The biggest gainer for Bajaj has been family time. “I usually live away from my family, so I am trying to spend as much time as I can with my family during the lockdown.”

However, the ‘at-home’ phase could be a dampener to one’s self-drive and sometimes ‘laziness’ is a killer even if one has had a great start to the day.

Bajaj has therefore incorporated a few DIY activities, especially experimenting with his cooking skills to escape from boredom. Exploring recipes that tickle the sweet bud has added a new ‘zing’ to Bajaj’s ‘at-home’ phase. With sweet and dessert outlets shut, Bajaj has incorporated DIY ‘at home dessert’ for himself and his family.

“I am trying not to get lazy but learn the things that I never had time for making desserts. Since I am a big fan of desserts I am making it myself since most sweet and dessert outlets are shut. I have almost mastered making my favourite dessert Banoffee Pie,” he said.

The lockdown has enabled Bajaj to catch up on TV shows such as ‘Succession’ and ‘Money Heist’

“Whether you are willing to pay for an app or find free options, the choices are now endless. Making the most of the online world, exercising daily strengthens the immune system, improves mental health, and makes you feel better about yourself during this frightening time”

Wellness Pointers

• Eat everything but in limited proportions.
• Adhere to one’s daily intake of calories
• Stay Hydrated

• Avoid lazy steak and learn new DIY activities, including cooking.
• Catch upon movies and TV shows

WFH – the positives

The lockdown has pushed the buck for most companies and employees, to create suitable ‘work from home’ (WFH) agenda and Bajaj too had to transition in doing the same. He said that some factors in the WFH regime are beneficial too.

Offers flexibility, liberty, and opportunities for generating healthier habits to remain productive.

Adapting work ecosystems with cloud-based frameworks, VPNs, texting, Skype and ‘Zoom’ app call conferencing keeps connectivity between teams and ongoing operations.

Virtual communication tools creates a seamless communication flow between employees and the leadership team.

Despite the uncertainties looming large, he believes that WFH has helped him with more ‘managed’ time at hand. Besides, it has enabled him to be more focused and productive, without getting distracted by co-workers, which is not uncommon under normal circumstances!