Moving your body during winter can be a real task, especially on those lazy days when a good workout finds itself at the bottom of your list. The good news is that you can still get your heart pumping by making small changes to your daily routine.
Here are five easy ways to increase your physical activity without the hassle:
Goodbye elevator, hello stairs
The elevator just has a way of opening its mechanical arms to welcome you to a world of convenience, but giving into that temptation might not be the best idea if you’re trying to move your body more often. So ignore the calls of the elevator whether it’s at work or at a shopping mall and opt for the stairs instead. This can be a great way to help get your heart rate up and work towards reaching that 10 000 step goal.
Park further away
We’ve all experienced that frustrating moment when you just can’t find a parking near to the shopping mall. But now you won’t have to anymore. Intentionally parking further away forces you to have to walk those few extra steps to reach your destination and it’s not a bad habit to start adopting at all! Try making it a part of your everyday life in order to get your blood pumping. Very soon you’ll be able to tackle this is no time and will find yourself parking further and further away encourage walking for longer distances.
Walk your dog
When those droopy eyes stares at you, longing for a walk, it might just be time to start paying attention. Try making it a habit to take your dog on regular walks because it not only benefits them, but it can aid your health too! A fun addition could be doing short bursts of running in between your walk (if you’re by the means to) – this will certainly have you breaking a sweat in no time!
Make household chores a priority
When that floor calls to be mopped, it might be time to start listening. It’s more beneficial to stay active while doing chores like sweeping, gardening and even mopping than to laze away. Moving your body while getting tasks done might not seem like much but it still helps you to stay active.
Stand at your desk
If you have an office job that requires you to sit at your laptop all day, then it’s time to start building healthier habits. According to healthline, studies show that standing can decrease chronic back pain caused by prolonged sitting, especially if you opt for a standing desk. And while exercise is the most effective way to burn calories, choosing to stand can also be beneficial according to a study that shows how over 170 additional calories were burned when participants chose to stand instead of sit, when compared to an afternoon of sedentary work.
Also read:
Here’s what a registered dietician has to say about intermittent fasting
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