We all know the importance of keeping fit and healthy. However, as our lives get more hectic by the year, it can be hard to find time for regular exercise.
Whether we’re balancing work and childcare, sitting through a long commute, or struggling to get motivated at the weekends, there are all kinds of reasons why we might not feel like hitting the gym. So, how can we incorporate exercise into our everyday lives?
In this article, you’ll learn simple ways you can keep active without drastically changing your daily routine. From taking the stairs to setting timers at your desk, these tips will help ward off the dangers of a sedentary lifestyle — and improve your overall sense of wellbeing.
- Set up a home gym
If you never feel like going to your local gym, why not bring the gym to you? Setting up a few pieces of equipment in your home is an excellent way to turn exercise from a long ordeal to a quick boredom buster.
Whether you choose a set of dumbbells or a top quality exercise bike, spending just ten or fifteen minutes on your equipment before your evening shower will have a great effect on your fitness over time.
Forget the membership fee, travel time, and communal changing rooms — being able to work out at home is a game-changer!
- Take the stairs
When you have the choice between stairs and the elevator, which do you choose?
In our stations and office blocks, it can be tempting to opt for the easiest way of getting from A to B. If you want to incorporate exercise into your daily routine, taking the stairs is a simple answer. Climbing stairs is actually one of the most effective forms of exercise available — and it’s free!
According to the American Council on Exercise, it’s possible to burn 563 calories per hour of walking upstairs, with the exact figure depending on your current fitness level. This means that adding a few flights of stairs to your daily routine could be an excellent way to boost your health over time.
- Switch up your commute
Usually drive or take public transport to work? Switching to walking or cycling will have a huge impact on your fitness levels. If your commute is long, how about getting off the train a couple of stops early or parking your car a short walk away?
If you take a train or bus, try standing for part of the journey. This engages your core muscles and means you can shift your body a lot more than when you’re sat down.
- Get up from your desk
We know that a sedentary lifestyle isn’t good for our health. But with many of us working sit-down jobs, it can be hard to keep active during the day.
An easy way to make sure we’re not sitting down for eight hours straight is to set regular alarms at work. It doesn’t matter if these are twenty minutes apart or an hour — the key is to find a routine that fits with your schedule. Every time the alarm goes off, get up from your desk and walk to the staff break room or down to reception. Depending on your office environment, you could even do some stretches!
The key is to keep moving for around 5 or 10 minutes. This will help boost your circulation, improve your concentration, and relax your muscles.
- Dance like nobody’s watching
If you’re not a natural gym bunny, it can be tempting to think that keeping active has to be boring. But in reality, anything that gets you moving (and having fun) is an excellent way to release endorphins and feel the benefits of exercise.
Whether you’re cooking, doing chores, or just want to relax after a long day, dancing can be a great full-body workout. Simply put on your favorite playlist and dance the evening away!
- Make time for exercise every day
To ensure you get your daily dose of exercise, keep yourself accountable by writing it into your calendar or diary. Even if it’s a simple 20 minute walk listening to a podcast before work, or a YouTube yoga video in the evening, blocking out some time every day to get moving will help keep you on the right path.
Better yet, sign up to an exercise class or sports team, or get a fitness buddy. Exercising with others pushes us competitively and means we move for longer, getting you a better workout.
Conclusion
Want to keep active without overhauling your lifestyle? Follow these tips to feel the benefits of better health!
