Regular exercise is crucial for both our physical and mental health. In the past, staying active was part of daily life because survival often required physical activity. But now, many of us have desk jobs that keep us sitting for most of the day.
It’s not just work that keeps us seated. Many of our favorite leisure activities, like watching TV, meeting friends at the pub, playing online games, or reading, also involve sitting. While it’s essential to enjoy these activities, hobbies, and socializing for our overall well-being, we should also make sure we’re breaking up long periods of inactivity by moving around.
Incorporating more movement into your daily routine is important, and here are some simple ways to do that:
If you usually use email to communicate at work, try getting up and walking over to your colleague’s desk instead. This not only helps you move more but also strengthens your relationships at work. Just make sure not to interrupt them too often.
Whether you’re at the office, watching a TV series, or playing a game, staying hydrated can help you get up and move. Set a reminder on your phone to drink water every hour. This will prompt you to get up and go to the kitchen. If you’re at work, offer to make drinks for your colleagues too. This will increase your steps and help keep you hydrated, which means more trips to the bathroom and more opportunities to move around.
We often forget to move because we get so absorbed in our work or entertainment. Using browser extensions like Pomodoro timers can help by reminding you to take regular breaks and move. These timers divide your work into manageable chunks with breaks, boosting productivity and physical activity.
When commuting, add some exercise to your routine. If you use public transport, walk to the next stop before getting on, or get off a stop early and walk the rest of the way. If you drive, park farther from the entrance or try walking or cycling to work if you can. This not only adds exercise but also saves you money on transport.
Fitness trackers and smartwatches can be excellent tools for monitoring your daily activity. They help you keep track of how many steps you’ve taken and can remind you to be more active. For instance, many new fitness devices can track your hourly steps and alert you if you haven’t moved enough.
So, how will you add more activity to your routine? Pick a few of these ideas and get started. Today is a great day to begin!
