Little Ways to Stay Active During the Day
Are you looking for ways to stay active during the day? Getting enough physical activity is essential for both your physical and mental well-being, but there’s more to a healthy lifestyle than just fitting in a 40-minute gym session every day. Finding little ways to stay active during the day can help improve your orthopedic health, help you maintain a healthy weight and keep your cardiovascular system in check.
January is a great time to talk about staying active. There are a lot of New Year’s resolutions going around, but January is also Family Fit Month, Celebration of Life Month and Self-Love Month – all holidays that revolve around healthy living.
So take a moment to sift through this list of little ways to stay active during the day. Find two or three that resonate with you, and use them as a starting point to make this year your healthiest yet.
Set a Step Goal
One of the most reliable ways to make sure you’re moving enough during the day is to set a step goal. Pedometers are a great way to track your progress, and many smartphones have pedometer apps that will do the same thing. Aim for at least 6,000 steps per day, and see if you can gradually increase that number over time.
If hitting 6,000 steps seems unachievable, try one of these hacks to fit in a few hundred steps here and there:
- Walk around your office during breaks
- Take your dog for a walk
- Park your car at the far end of the lot
- Take the stairs instead of the elevator
- Do some chores around the house
- Walk to pick up lunch or run errands
Stand, Don’t Sit
Another way to stay active during the day is to stand more often. Instead of sitting at your desk while you work, try a standing desk or placing your laptop at a high countertop. You can also add an exercise ball behind your regular desk chair so that every time you sit down, you’re stretching out your hips and back muscles. Keep your regular office chair as a backup for when you really need to sit down.
If standing all day is too difficult, try to break up your sitting time with short walks. For example, get up and walk around the office every 30 minutes, or take a long walk at lunchtime.
Take on a Mini Fitness Challenge
Challenging yourself to do something a little bit active every day is a great way to stay motivated. Try one of these mini fitness challenges:
- 30 pushups and 30 sit-ups before bed
- Walk, bike, or run for 20 minutes on lunch break
- Do a couple of squats, lunges or pushups before you get in the shower
If these challenges are too difficult at first, try to build up over time. You can also ask your friends and family members if they want to take on the challenge with you! It’s always easier to stay motivated when there’s friendly competition involved.
Turn Your Commute into a Workout
This may not be for everybody, but if you work within 10 miles of your home, try turning your short commute into a workout a few times a week by riding your bike on nice days.
If you live a little bit too far, you can try parking further from the office and walking. If you take public transportation, get off one stop early or walk part of your commute instead of sitting on the bus/train the entire time.
There are plenty of ways to make sure you’re staying active during the day, no matter your lifestyle. Just find a couple of things that work for you and stick with them! You’ll be surprised at how much better you feel when you make physical activity part of your daily routine.
Contact New Life Medical Services
If your overall health and well-being could use a bit of help, finding a provider who offers natural biologic products and therapies may be the answer. New Life Medical Services specializes in the production of natural biologic products and provides educational training and instruction for providers interested in expanding their care offerings.
If you’re a patient who would like to find a provider near you, contact New Life Medical Services today.
If you’re a provider who would like to learn more about how to introduce natural biologics into your practice, sign up for one of our training sessions today!
