Seven simple ways to stay active

Too many of us have an all-or-nothing attitude when it comes to staying fit. We’re too “slammed” at work for the gym, or our kids’ activities are keeping us in the car — and off the track — for long hours. 

Unfortunately, having this attitude means you’re less likely to get enough physical activity. In fact, research shows that nearly 80% of Americans don’t exercise enough to maintain optimum health. One way to avoid falling into this category is to try adding these seven simple ways to stay active to your day: 

• Don’t take the most direct route to your destination

One simple way to stay active is to take paths that make you walk farther. Speed is usually the name of the game in most people’s busy lives. But does the time saved parking close to the store really add value? Not when it comes to staying active. Instead, make a game of parking at the far end of the lot. That way you have to push a cart or carry a bag a greater distance. When you’re at work, try to take the stairs — unless you’re really running late for that meeting!

• Get in more steps at lunch

Another simple option to help yourself stay active is to walk more at lunch. Skip the cafeteria in favor of a healthy eatery down the street if you’re working. Or, walk outside for 20 minutes before you return to your brown-bag lunch. If you’re retired or working from home, walk to the corner grocer’s to gather the ingredients you need for lunch. Living out in the country or the suburbs? Pretend that walking before lunch is the “fee” you have to pay to get into the kitchen to make that sandwich.

• Switch to a standing desk

How do standing desks help? It’s amazing how much healthier simply standing in place is compared to sitting. For one thing, you burn more calories. You’ll also hunch less, meaning that neck and shoulder pain can be eliminated. Standing also boosts fitness in significant ways. For instance, it can help keep blood sugar steadier after a meal. Standing at your desk can also encourage more movement overall.

• Trick yourself into running more errands

Tricking yourself into running more errands is another simple way to stay active. Try using a smaller glass for your drink; that way, you have to return to the water cooler or kitchen more often to fulfill your daily hydration goals. 

Likewise, you can make going down the hall to borrow a stapler a separate trip from hiking upstairs to ask someone in HR about your vacation schedule. If our Fitbits have taught us anything, it’s that a hundred extra steps here and there really do add up over the course of the day!

• Motivate yourself to do chores based on their fitness benefits

Staying active is a lot simpler when you make time during the day to do some chores. Only 13 minutes can be enough to clean up the kitchen after dinner. Doing laundry can take about 17 minutes. Doing some of these simple chores every day adds up to a cleaner, more organized space. 

As a bonus, the time spent on such chores can also help you stay active. For instance, washing pans works your arm muscles. Bending over to load the dishwasher or dryer can strengthen your lower back and hamstrings. So, if you remember that these tasks also burn calories and build up your fitness, it may help you feel more like tackling them.

• Rethink where your fitness equipment is stored

As the old saying says, “Out of sight, out of mind,” and this definitely applies to your fitness equipment. A simple action that can help you stay active is to store your fitness gear in a more accessible place. Stash a yoga mat or 5-pound weights under your bed. Hang resistance bands on a hook in the kitchen. That way, you’ll be far more likely to do a few reps while watching TV or waiting for the pasta to boil!

• Address aches and pains with physical therapy

Our physical therapists at Advent Physical Therapy can help you stay active by reducing the aches and pains that keep you from pursuing an active lifestyle. In addition, many physical therapy sessions are a workout in themselves. This means they could help you meet your weekly cardio and/or endurance goals. 

A physical therapist is also a great resource for giving you tips on tweaking your daily habits. He or she can go over what a normal day looks like for you. Your therapist can then offer advice on how to increase your daily activity levels. If chronic pain is an issue, your therapist can show you specific moves that streamline the physical challenges.

Ready to see how physical therapy can help you live a more active life? Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.