Physical activity is one of the key factors when it comes to maintaining your best long-term health. However, many of us lead very sedentary lives these days, and work jobs from 9 am to 5 pm. Fitting exercise and even moderate activity into your daily routine, however, isn’t always easy.
Whether it’s because of a busy schedule or a health condition, you may find it difficult to get the daily exercise you need. The following are five easy ways to stay active. Our physical therapy team can vouch for these as well, they’re all tried and true here in our clinic!
1. Look for reasons to take breaks at work.
If you have a desk job, you should already know how important it is to get up and periodically start moving around. We’re not encouraging you to slack off at your job by any means, but it is important to get physical activity in where you can!
You can walk the stairs or around the perimeter of your office during lunch breaks. There are even simple exercises and stretches you can do at your desk. If you don’t work outside the home, you can still incorporate walking breaks and intermittent stretching into your daily routine. You can also take conference calls while walking around the office or building if that’s something available to you.
2. Get a dog to encourage you to get outside more.
Dogs are a big responsibility, but so is taking care of your health and wellbeing. Getting a pet, especially a dog will help improve your overall activity level. You’re more likely to enjoy moving if you have a cat or a dog to play with. Taking daily walks and spending time with your pet outdoors is a fantastic way to get the moderate exercise that is both fun and healthy. Having a pet may also reduce anxiety, depression, and loneliness!
3. Make a point to eat out less.
When you take into account shopping for groceries, pushing a cart, and the clean-up after a meal is over, this can add up to a lot of activity.
Cooking at home not only means healthier eating but is an easy way to stay active and burn a few extra calories. Standing on your feet, moving around the kitchen, and chopping and mixing food burn a lot more calories than eating out.
4. Take a walk!
Walking is a very easy way to get more physical activity in and you probably already know that! But are you taking advantage of all your opportunities to walk? Are you walking up and down the stairs in your home or apartment instead of always taking the elevators or staying seated for long periods? Are you choosing to park further away from storefronts?
Even walking to the end of the drive each day to get the mail instead of picking it up from the car window can make a difference.
There are a few tips to follow that will encourage you to walk more.
- Choose Comfortable Shoes – If your feet are sore because of shoes that fit poorly, you’ll be less likely to spend time walking. A physical therapist can help you select the best shoes.
- Count Your Steps – A pedometer is a low tech item that counts the number of steps you take. It’s a fun way to keep track of how far you’ve walked.
- Walk With Someone – Having someone who will keep you accountable will help you stay motivated on the days you don’t feel like walking.
5. Visit the physical therapist!
A physical therapist can design an exercise routine that can improve your overall stamina, strength, and flexibility. Whether it’s athletic improvement or the ability to carry out daily activities with greater ease and endurance, physical therapy can provide several benefits.
Physical therapy can help improve long-term injuries that never completely healed and reduce the pain from chronic conditions such as arthritis. Even if you’re in relatively good health, physical therapy can help you stay active and feel more energetic. Making a few simple changes in your life can dramatically increase your activity level. These changes, along with visiting a physical therapist, can improve your health and overall well-being.
Are you ready to take a deeper interest in your long-term health?
If you’ve been suspecting lately that your health just isn’t at the level it should be, call our office today. We’d be happy to schedule an appointment for you to have a full assessment done. If you’re struggling with pain symptoms or a chronic condition, all the more reason to see a physical therapist!
Rest assured you’re in good hands here, from the second you walk through our doors to the moment your treatment is finished. We want to help you achieve your highest fitness goals, so call IMG Physical Therapy today!
