The Best Way to Exercise (When you are stuck at home)

I can not touch my toes, nor am I particularly agile in any way, shape or form. In an alternate universe, where we all have supernatural powers, I can promise you - sport would remain a mystery to me. Dancing like a lunatic, however, comes incredibly naturally. Whether I am doing a starfish style of jump to a syncopated rhythm or waltzing like the woman in Shall We Dance (or at least trying too), dancing is quite honestly, the only form of physical exercise that makes me believe I have arms that can hold gravity, legs that can swim in the wild air, and a body that enjoys living on earth.

So, you are stuck at home, and you need some good old exercise. I am no dance teacher, nor gym instructor, nor any type of professional - but I am very good at jumping up and down to music and smiling simultaneously. Therefore, after a satisfying stretch to warm the muscles, and I have created a safe space to dance, I turn on the music and, well, move like a crazy lady beneath a sun-lit moon. Do you want to join me? It is incredibly easy (and, may I say, free of charge).

First, you need to organise your space. Make sure there are no dangerous objects in your vicinity.

Secondly, make sure that you know your boundaries - don't push yourself. Dancing in the living room is supposed to be fun, not a full on, eat your heart out work out made for a reality television star that is dependent on their physical appearance for rent.

Thirdly, don't eat before you dance. I did once. Big mistake.

Fourthly, pick your playlist wisely.

I have compiled a play list to your everyday dancing-in-the-living-room needs so that you can inhale and exhale in time with a rhythm of your choosing (warning: many puns ahead).

1. Whitney Houston and Cindy Lauper - When no one else is in the house

For this one, you are going to need a pair of socks and some good wooden floorboards that are safe to slide on. I tend to do star jumps alternated with any random movements that come to me in the moment. You know why? Because there is no one else in the house, no one to judge, and (more importantly) two awesome women singing you to dance freedom;

I Wanna Dance with Somebody; I Have Nothing; Girls Just Wanna Have Fun; Time After Time; Greatest Love of All; True Colours

2. Black Pink and Red Velvet - When life has become too much

Need to relax by dancing frantically and energetically? letting go of the issues and problems of the universe? Try some K-Pop...

Russian Roulette; Kill this Love; How you Like That; Red Flavour...

3. Ella and Louis - Date night

Been in love for a while and you need something to sway too. Also, you both ate a very large meal and feel guilty for consuming excessive carbohydrates. But, can you be bothered to exit the house? Certainly not. So, turn on Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong, waltz and slow dance to your hearts content:

Dream a little Dream of Me; Blue Moon; Paper Moon; What a Wonderful World; Manhattan...

4. Scouting for Girls - When you have just started dating

Going on a first date and need to get the jitters out of your body before you choose your outfit?

She's so Lovely; Dancing in the Daylight; Secret Tattoo; Elvis Ain't Dead

5. Billy Joel and Joni Mitchell- When he/she/they left you

Broken up? Let your body inhale, exhale and get some feel-good chemicals going as an antidote to emotional pain. Perhaps you are too tired and full from the ice cream, but a soft, swaying dance is better than nothing:

She's Always a Woman to Me; Piano Man; Italian Restaurant; Vienna; Both Sides Now; Big Yellow Taxi

6. ABBA - When you just got laid-off

You will need to get back out their, dust yourself off and find a new, awesome job that suits you even better than your previous occupation. But until then, let ABBA sing you to sleep (or, check out BLANKS' Dancing Queen Remix on Youtube)

Money, Money, Money; Fernando; Dancing Queen; Mamma Mia; The Winner Takes It All; S.O.S; I Have A Dream.

7. Sigala - When you just got paid

Party in the living room because you can afford food this week? Let me give you a list of modern disco DJ jams:

I Just Got Paid; Came here for love; Sweet Lovin'; Give Me Your Love

8. Etta James and Amy Winehouse- For every mood

Let me explain, Etta James's voice will solve just about any problem. Amy Winehouse will match your mood, and bet you one chip higher. No matter what your mood, whether it be sultry, frustrated, angry, happy, meloncholy- they have a song for your to groove to:

All I could do is cry; If I can't have you; Blues Boogie Jam; Something's Got a Hold on Me; Swing Low Sweet Chariot; Back to Black; You Know That I am No Good; Tears Dry On Their Own; Valerie...

9. Anything starring John Travolta - When you are bored

Staying alive 9-5 is difficult, but when you get home and throw off your shoes, Mix grease and hairspray into an evening, and you get Saturday Night Fever. Whether you need a slow song, How Deep is your love, or a piece which reflects your social justice beliefs, I Know Where I've Been, each of these musicals has something for you.

10. ELO - When you feel down and lonely

Mr Blue Sky is up there waiting, so Hold Tight To Your Dreams and Shine A Little Love on another person's life - on your own life. Rock n Roll is King, so stop being So Serious, Don't Walk Away from your One Summer Dream of rolling in haystacks with your partner and actually enjoying life. Tomorrow, thing's will progressively become easier. But until then, dance and release those endorphins by listening to ELO. Yes, they are from the 80s. Yes, they have some crazy lyrics. But, you know what? These words match our everyday craziness of life. That's something worth dancing for.

Happy Dancing.