Modern life is very sedentary.
On the way to work, we sit in our cars and sit at our desks for most of the day. We then drive home, sit down and watch TV to relax.
It is difficult to include movement in daily life due to the sedentary nature of modern society.
We need to move. Every day, our bodies need movement to function properly. Here are some practical ways you can increase your daily movement to combat the sedentary lifestyle of modern life.
7 ways to increase daily movement
1) Bookend Your Day with Walks
Walking is a great way to get more movement in your day. Walking is a great way to get your blood moving, stimulate your cardiovascular system, and relieve stress. You can also get vitamin D from sunlight, which helps to maintain hormone function.
2) Park Further Away
You’re likely to have to drive to the shop multiple times per week if you’re anything like us. We challenge you to park farther away next time you go. This will make it more difficult to walk to the store. This will make it more difficult to walk further each time you do it several times per week, or even every day.
3) Yoga at-Home
You can add more movement to your daily life with at-home yoga. You have thousands of classes to choose from on Youtube and many online subscription options. You can choose a class, and then set up a space in the bedroom or living area for a quick class. Yoga can help you relax after a hard workout or relieve stress.
4) Go on a Post-Lunch Walk
Walking after lunch is our favorite way to get more movement in our day. Walking for a short time after eating helps to break up the day, and it adds gentle movement.
You will also get more vitamin D and it can reduce stress. Invite your coworkers to join you. This will make the experience more enjoyable and encourage healthy choices in your community.
5) Participate in Walking Meetings and Calls
Talking about walking with colleagues, consider if you could make it possible to attend some of the walking events/meetings that are on your calendars. Walking and talking with colleagues can help you find creativity and solve complex problems.
6) Take the Stairs
We challenge you to use the stairs whenever possible. The stairs can be more strenuous than waiting for an elevator and will often allow you to move faster.
7) Go on a cooldown walk or bike
Cool down after your workout. Take a walk around the block, or take a ride on the Assault Bike for five to ten minutes at a slow pace. Cooling down can help bring your body back to normal, and also add some movement to your day.
Find creative ways to increase your daily movement
Your schedule and preferences will determine the best way to increase your daily activity.
We recommend that you work with a coach.
Your day and preferences will be reviewed by a coach. They will then make suggestions for easy ways to add movement into your daily life.
This post was written by Darryl Johnson, Co-Owner of Apex performance. At Apex performance we are a community of highly trained experts looking to provide performance enhancement and a permanent lifestyle change for our clients in a fun and interactive environment. Members can take advantage of group fitness in Tampa, small group classes and specialized courses for a wide variety of athletics, sports training and body goals!
