The word “exercise” means many things to different people. While there may not be a perfect exercise or an exact amount that each person needs, we know it is impossible to be truly healthy without physical activity.
We also know that physical activity does not come easy to everyone, especially if you have a busy schedule or if you have limited mobility. So, in this post, we are going to explore simple ways to add more physical activity into your daily life and make it a habit you will want to stick with for the long haul.
Quick Physical Activity Tips
If you have a hard time fitting physical activity into your busy schedule, try these easy activities to keep moving so you aren’t sedentary:
- Stand up more often and walk around your home, office, yard, etc.
- Spend more time in your garden or create one.
- Have a dance party with friends and family.
- Practice short bursts of yoga or other meditation-based activities like Pilates.
- Go on a walk during your lunch break or go on walking conference calls.
If Your Lifestyle is Sedentary
If you have a sedentary office job or you work from home and spend most of your day at a computer, you can boost your activity level by inserting activity breaks in small amounts. This will help you break up your day, keep your mind clear and focused, burn calories, and lower your risk of developing a chronic disease.
Here are some simple ways to add activity and movement into a normally sedentary workday:
If You’re at the Office:
- Park further away from your office building to get more steps.
- Use the stairs instead of the elevator if possible.
- Rather than emailing your coworker, get up and go visit them.
- Take at least 15 minutes out of your lunch break and use it to walk outside or indoors.
- Set reminders to get up and stretch your legs.
If You’re at Home:
- Schedule a daily break to take a walk away from your workspace.
- Set reminders to get up each hour and do a few household chores.
- Turn a conference call into a walking meeting by putting in your headphones and taking your phone out on a walk with you.
- Pick your favorite song and have a dance break.
- If you normally spend 20 minutes in the morning driving to work, get up and spend that 20 minutes walking or stretching.
Active Household Activities
Here are some ideas to help you keep moving instead of lounging on the couch all day or scrolling through social media:
- Gardening or yard work (raking leaves, mowing, trimming hedges, mulching)
- Washing your car
- Housework (vacuuming, sweeping, dusting)
- Walking your dog
- Do-it-yourself (DIY) home projects like painting and sanding
- Cleaning the garage
Don’t Get Overwhelmed by Physical Activity
If you feel overwhelmed when thinking about how to add more physical activity into your life, remember that you are probably already doing things that are considered active. So, go ahead and get started by focusing on how you can increase your physical activity frequency, duration, and quantity. Keep it simple and start with activities that are easy to add to your everyday life. Don’t force it – just look for opportunities around you!
