Easy Ways to Stay Active During the Day

We're all acutely aware of the benefits of exercising, but we sometimes forget that it doesn't always come in the form of intense, sweat-inducing workouts. In truth, any physical activity can benefit our well-being, and leading an active lifestyle is as important as engaging in dedicated exercise sessions. Frequent bursts of movement make it much easier to stay on top of your fitness goals than you might think. More often than not, they're also significantly more straightforward to implement than specific workout routines. If you're struggling to find effective and practical ways to keep on top of your fitness, we've got you covered!

Take the Stairs

Sure, climbing several flights of stairs may be tiring at times, but it's among the simplest changes you can make for your fitness. We've become so accustomed to escalators and elevators that we sometimes don't consider taking the stairs an option. Although we're not suggesting you switch to the stairs the entire way up a 20-story building, a few sets of steps are usually feasible for most of us! It only adds a little extra time, yet it can boost your cardiovascular health, bone health, and muscle strength.

Park Further Away 

Whether you're heading to the grocery store or pulling up to the office, choosing a parking space further from where you need to be is a great way to up your step count. Depending on the parking facilities, it may not be possible everywhere you go, but it allows you to squeeze in a couple of additional walks here and there. If you struggle to find time for longer walks, you'll be pleasantly surprised to see how many more steps you get with such a minor adjustment.

Move Around Every Hour

Moving around for a few minutes every hour isn't just a means of staying active, as it also helps you give your brain a break and clear your mind between tasks. It's easy to think that two or three minutes of movement an hour won't do much for your well-being, but this time quickly adds up. Three minutes of extra activity an hour over 12 hours accumulate to 36 minutes per day. In essence, this proves that no matter how insignificant an activity may seem, any time spent moving counts for something.

Cycle or Walk Where Possible

If walking or cycling is an option for your morning commute, why not turn your journey to and from work into exercise? Even if these aren't viable for you and your circumstances, it's worth looking into other ways to swap out your car or public transport for something more physical. Walking to your local coffee shop or cycling to a friend's house are just some of the ways to amp up your exercise. Variables like distance and weather can make this challenging for many of us, but it doesn't mean we need to rely on our cars for everything. 

Use a Standing Desk

This particular tip is geared towards those who work from home either entirely or as part of a hybrid work model. However, if your employer is rather forward-thinking, this could be an option for in-office staff, too! We often lose track of how long we spend sitting down, but we can substantially reduce this with a standing desk. There are plenty of adjustable desks on the market these days, meaning you can alternate between sitting and standing throughout the day. You could always add a walking pad to your office set-up to make your remote working lifestyle even more active.

Spread Out Your Chores

Many of us break a sweat when completing household chores, and as such, they're an incredibly underrated way of enhancing our activity levels. Everyone keeps on top of their chores differently, but spreading out your tasks over the week ensures you have something physical to do each day. Vacuuming, mopping, and laundry are all calorie-burning jobs while cleaning, gardening, and mowing the lawn can sometimes be as strenuous as a workout.

Maximize Your Lunch Break

Your specific job and workplace will determine how long your lunch is, but most people have around an hour-long break. By bringing your own lunch and avoiding lengthy queues at local delis or cafes, you'll free up more time for other activities during your time off. This doesn't mean you need to pack in a workout over your lunch hour, but it allows you to enjoy a stroll or movement break before returning to work.

Get off a Stop Early

Those of you who regularly use public transport can quickly rack up some additional steps by getting off your bus or train a stop or two early. On days when you're in a rush or the rain is pouring down, this may not be the best option, but it's generally a practical way to stay active. When you have the time, plan ahead and account for five or ten more minutes in your travel time to make room for a short walk along the way.

Try out Five or Ten-Minute Workouts

A five or ten-minute training session may seem pointless to some, but you'd be surprised at how fast you'll work up a sweat with the right routines. After all, any form of exercise is better than none. The best thing about this activity style is how seamlessly it fits into your schedule. Setting aside a few minutes in the morning, before you shower, or right after work is much more manageable than carving out an entire hour of your day. Better yet, doing this several times a day can add up to a considerable workout.

Keep Your Body Moving With These Simple Strategies

Unless you work in an industry that requires you to spend much of your time on your feet, you probably spend large chunks of your day sitting down. However, this doesn't mean you need to stick to a sedentary lifestyle, and adding a little movement to your day is much simpler than it may seem.