We all know that exercise is important, and we all try our best to go for a jog or a walk or hit the gym as often as we can, but the reality is that many of us simply don’t have the time to add a fitness routine to our schedules and successfully balance it with work, family, and a social life. In a perfect world, we’d all be able to add a consistent exercise routine to our schedules, but since we live in the real world, we sometimes have to find alternate ways to get some more physical activity. Here are six simple things you can do in your everyday life that will help you get moving more.
Take the stairs
You’ve probably heard this one time and time again, but taking the stairs instead of the elevator is always going to be a great way to sneak a little more physical activity into your day. No matter where you are, whether it’s your apartment building, your office, the subway, the mall or any other two story building, opt for the stairs instead of an escalator or elevator every time and you’ll be working your body much, much more.
Park at the back of the lot
Here’s a great way to get some extra steps in: park your car as far from the door as you can. Too often we see people fighting to get the parking spots nearest to the building just so they won’t have as far a distance to walk. You’ll feel great when you leave those other drivers to their shenanigans and park at the back, smiling as you walk on by. Walking is great exercise so use this tip to do more of it!
Clean your home regularly
This one’s a real win-win! Doing common household chores like vacuuming, dusting, and sweeping involve a good deal of movement, so why not do more of them? Making and sticking to a regular cleaning schedule is a great way to get moving and keep your home looking great at the same time.
Do some yard work
Just as doing chores inside your home can help you move more, doing outdoor chores can be just as beneficial. Rake the leaves, mow the lawn, or maybe even plant a bunch of flowers in your garden; no matter what you do outside, you will be putting extra movement into your day.
Rethink your commute
Do you drive to work? If you answered yes, why not consider changing up your commute and swap your car for a bicycle or pair of rollerblades? Or maybe simply walk? If you live close enough to your work to be able to arrive on time using an alternative mode of transportation, making this switch is going to be a very effective way of getting more exercise.
Do more fidgeting
Believe it or not, simply fidgeting around a little more can help you to get more physical activity into your day. It’s true! This is an especially helpful tip for those of us who sit at a desk all day. Simply fidget around a little more and you’ll be a little more active.