Gym time, running time and playing sport time is generally time for us to decompress. It helps the kids burn off their abundant energy and parents to switch off.

But what happens now that all of our sport is on hold, gyms have been closed and going out for a run with your local running group or group of friends is not possible at the moment?

In the space of two weeks our household has gone from feeling like we were really only home to sleep to now working from home, schooling from home and trying to meet our daily exercise needs at home.

It is an anxious time for many but experts have stressed maintaining physical activity will be more important now, and the weeks ahead, than ever.

For our household, it has meant changing habits quickly and making the most of what we have at our disposal.

My gym, like many around the nation, has been quick to establish online workouts. It is obviously not the same as at the gym. For starters, the first 12-minute HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) session I attempted to do in our hallway was soon sabotaged by my two daughters. But at the moment you have the make the most of what you have on offer and having them join was actually fun.

There are tons of health and fitness apps, many which are free, that also offer a range of workouts. Spend time researching though to make sure they will suit your needs.

I am also pretty sure if you look hard enough you will find Aerobics Oz Style re-runs still on television somewhere.

Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA) have created an Exercise Right at Home (www.exerciseright.com.au) public campaign in response to the coronavirus crisis. It provides a range of free workout videos, including strength training, aerobic activities, falls prevention and mobility exercises that can be completed right in your home.

Working out at home not only requires change, it can also require creativity.

I have been trying to keep my kids close to the same schedule they would be on at school, which means getting outside and active a number of times a day.

We have been setting up 15-minute circuits that can be done in the yard or in the house and so far it has proven a hit. We have been using a soccer ball for toe taps (where you alternate putting one foot on top of the ball while the other is on the ground) and discovered a cricket bat is perfect for jumping back and forth or hopping over.

An indoors circuit when it was too wet to go out was 10 star jumps, 10 high knees, 10 hops on each leg and 10 burpees, done five times through. I have been joining in to clock up some daily active minutes myself and have enjoyed doing something different to my normal workouts as well as doing it with the kids. If you adapt the exercises, everyone in the family can get a good workout.

If you have a trampoline in the backyard, then 10 minutes jumping on there will be of benefit, and is sure to give the kids a laugh.

Some experts I have spoken to in the past two weeks have said this time is a time to reset and refocus and find new enjoyment in exercise by discovering other ways to do it than you normally would.

Resting more might also be of benefit at the moment. We lead such busy lives in this day and age that many are not getting their recommended daily dose of sleep.

University of South Australia sleep and fatigue researcher Dr Raymond Matthews says prioritising sleep will help boost your immune system.

"As the reality of COVID-19 steps up, people are rightly more vigilant with handwashing, social distancing and working from home if they can," Dr Matthews said.

"But what they may not realise is how important sleep is to their overall health. Sleep plays a vital role in the function of the body's immune system. When people suffer from a lack of sleep, they're reducing their body's natural killer cells - the white blood cells that hunt down virally-infected cells - which means they may be compromising their immune system and increasing their risk of getting sick."

Getting a good night's sleep may not be that easy at the moment for many and Dr Matthews recommends having a bedtime routine to relax and unwind before bed.

"This could include turning the TV off earlier and settling down to read a good book in bed, but really, it's whatever makes you feel calm and comfortable," he said.

He suggested bedtime basics for good sleep included avoiding cigarettes, caffeine and alcohol; choosing light, rather than heavy meals in the evening; keeping your bedroom dark, cool and quiet; avoiding bright light in the evening and making sure you get enough sunlight in the morning; and exercising during the day.

"These times are no doubt challenging, but sound sleep is something we should all strive to maximise our health," Dr Matthews said.

30 minutes, bodyweight

3 x 8min sets with a 2min rest

Renee Valentine is a journalist, qualified personal trainer and mother of three.