We all know the importance of daily exercise, but many of us also know how difficult it can actually be to make time for it.
The best way to make sure you’re exercising it is to schedule it into your routine. But even with some good intentions, it can be difficult to find the time.
So, in today’s blog, we’re going to cover nine ways that you can work exercise into your everyday life.
Health experts recommend at least 150-300 minutes of exercise per week for optimal health. If you use some of these tips to sneak in exercise each day, you should be well on your way!
1. Take the stairs
You may be tired of hearing about it, but this advice is tried and true. Taking the stairs increases heart rate, improves balance, and works muscles.
If you skip the elevator and take the stairs each day instead, your heart and overall health will thank you.
2. Plan walks for meetings or socializing
If you’re planning to grab a coffee with a friend, instead of sitting in the cafe, offer to walk with your drinks instead.
Same goes if you have a one-on-one work meeting that doesn’t require you to be in front of your computer. You could both head out for a walk, or if you work remotely, you can plug in your headphones and take the meeting around the block.
Not only can this help you get more exercise, but it may help you be more productive in your meeting. Research shows that walking can increase creativity and mental acuity. [1, 2, 3]
3. Try lunges
If you need to walk somewhere – whether that’s in the house or at the supermarket – throw in some lunges! Walking lunges can increase your heart rate and work your leg and core muscles.
To do a walking lunge, step forward with your right leg and put the weight into your heel. Bend your right knee and lower down so that your thigh is parallel to the floor in a lunge position. Pause for a moment. Then, without moving the right leg, move your left foot forward, repeating the same movement on the left leg.
4. Switch out your chair for an exercise ball
Sitting on an exercise ball has its perks. For one, it strengthens your core, which supports your spine and results in better posture. Eventually, it can help you sit up straighter and walk taller. Better posture is beneficial for your spine, making it more flexible and stronger. This can also help ease back aches.
You can also incorporate simple exercises while sitting on the ball for extra muscle strengthening.
Do this while working, watching TV, or sitting with friends!
5. Park farther
Avoid parking in a distant area of the lot that’s shady and potentially unsafe, but if you’re going to a store or a mall with a large parking lot, consider parking at the back. When you think about it, the walk will still be relatively short, and you’re still getting more steps in!
Plus, sometimes it’s simply faster to quickly choose an available spot that’s far away (since there are usually so many to choose from) than it is to circle looking for a closer spot. Additionally, your car may be less likely to get dinged by another car when it’s sitting alone.
6. Volunteer at an animal shelter
Chances are, your local animal shelter is looking for volunteers. The tasks involved can vary, but many simply need someone to walk the dogs!
If you don’t or can’t have a dog of your own, you can help dogs that are waiting for a home by walking them around your local animal shelter.
You can also register to foster dogs so they can stay with you while awaiting adoption and you can take them on daily walks from your home.
This gets you outside, exercising, and helping dogs in your area. It’s a win-win!
7. Dance more
You don’t need to go to a club or class to dance. And you don’t need to know specific dance moves either. So long as you’re being careful (not twisting your back quickly or overexerting certain joints/muscles) just move to the music!
While you’re home – whether alone or with family – turn on some music while you cook, clean, or just have a minute and dance. This gets your heart rate up and can also boost your mood!
8. Try new games
When you have a game night, chances are you and your friends/family sit around a table with a board or deck of cards. And of course, this is fun and the social aspect is great for your mental health.
But try mixing in some active games. Things like kick the can, hide and seek, scavenger hunts, Twister, freeze dance, potato sack races, pin the tail on the donkey, musical chairs, hopscotch, jump rope, hula hoop contests, or limbo. There are so many options! You’re never too old to play the games you played as a kid. Trust us, they’re still just as fun!
9. Exercise while watching TV
Most of us love to watch a good movie or TV show. The time can pass quickly while we do.
As stated above, you can set yourself up on an exercise ball while you watch TV. You can also get on a treadmill, stationary bike, do stretches, or do reps with weights.
If you do this for just one 30 minute show, there’s your daily exercise done for the day!
There are plenty of exercise options you can do with the TV on, and because you’re also concentrating on the TV, you may even find the workout isn’t as difficult.
Supercharge your workouts
If you’re adding more exercise to your routine, it’s best to provide your body with the tools it needs to aid your muscles in recovery.
Purality Health’s Micelle Liposomal Curcumin Gold contains a mixture of powerful compounds that can support your workouts before, during, and after.
Learn how by clicking here.
