As busy adults, many of us might find it hard to incorporate more physical activity into our daily schedules. We often get stuck in a routine and feel that we don’t have the time. Still, there are some easy ways to be more active that you can start doing today. Think simple, start small, and begin to build a system that allows you to be more active.
1. Start with a Morning Stretch
Don’t just wake up and go — start your morning with a good stretch. This is more than just the stretch and yawn right after waking up. This means getting into a good flow of body movement. If you practice yoga, the morning is the perfect time to practice. Pilates will also help you stretch and put your body in the right space to get your day started.
2. Take a Walk During the Day
Most adults work 9-to-5 jobs during the week. Many of those professions are considered sedentary. They require us to sit in one position for long periods of time throughout the day. You can break that up and get your body moving by taking a walk during your breaks. Break your day up into segments. After two hours, take a walk through the building. On your lunch break, take a walk around the block. Finally, a couple of hours before it’s time to go, take another quick walk to get your blood flowing again.
3. Skip the Elevator
Take the stairs. Walking up and down the steps is a simple movement that is considered an aerobic exercise. Therefore, skipping the elevator and taking the stairs will get your heart pumping and body moving. If you work on a higher floor, test your limits and see how far you can go before taking the elevator. You can also start taking the stairs in other buildings as well.
4. Join a Social League
If you enjoy organized sports and meeting new people, joining a social sports league will get you moving. Every major city has its own social sports leagues that you can join. Most include a diverse list of sports, including kickball, soccer, softball, flag football, and volleyball. In addition, bowing leagues are still fun ways to get active. Pick your favorite sport and join a team.
5. Incorporate Acupuncture
You might not initially consider acupuncture as a way of being active. After all, you are completely comfortable while receiving treatment. However, acupuncture can help you become more active because of its benefits. Many people use acupuncture as a way to treat chronic pain, sports injuries, muscle aches, arthritis, and even asthma. As part of your total wellness plan, incorporating acupuncture can give you the mobility and relief to include more exercise in your daily or weekly routine.
6. Volunteer with a Local Charity
In the process of looking for ways to get active, you can also make an impact in your community. Volunteering with a local charity will get you up on your feet and working with organizations that could use your time and energy. Think about the causes that matter to you. Get online and find some local nonprofits that are looking for the involvement of community members.
7. Start a Garden
Being a gardener is much more of a physical hobby than people expect. You’re digging, planting, watering, and pruning all kinds of plants. Choose a lot in your backyard and plan out the perfect garden for your home and family. You could even plant vegetables for your family and try out some new recipes.
8. Become a Weekend Warrior
For many busy adults, there aren’t many options during the week to add additional activities or hobbies that will help you become more active. Instead, you can become a weekend warrior. This means that on Saturdays and Sundays, be sure to schedule some time to get active. Consider joining your local gym, going for a trail walk, or even taking a hike. If you have a bike, you could also go for a nice, long bike ride through your neighborhood. Although it’s only two days a week, it’s still a planned effort to get moving.
9. Wake Up Earlier
Set your alarm an hour earlier than usual. You’ll notice that going to bed earlier at night and waking up earlier in the morning gives you more time and energy throughout the day to accomplish more goals. With that hour, you can add time for yoga, meditation, or just making sure that you have time for a healthy breakfast.
10. Exercise During Commercial Breaks
We all enjoy relaxing in front of the TV after a long day at work or on the weekends. However, our favorite streaming services encourage binge-watching when we spend hours at a time watching our favorite shows. You can even add some activity during this time by incorporating some quick exercises during commercial breaks or between episodes. Do some jumping jacks, jog in place, or do some stretching.
11. Park Further Away
Give yourself a further distance to walk. When you park your car at work, the mall, or the grocery store, park a few aisles further away from the door than normal. Most people have a habit of trying to find a spot as close as possible. However, reversing that thinking is a practical way to get in a few more steps while we’re out running errands.
12. Track Your Progress
You’re not getting more active for no reason. Tracking your progress will act as the perfect incentive to keep going. Set some goals for your increased activity. Whether it’s weight loss or increased flexibility, tracking your progress will help you see how far you’ve come. You can do this by keeping a journal or simply tracking your weight loss journey. A pedometer is also a great and simple way to track your steps and set new daily goals that you can meet and surpass.
