Bad news: turns out that when it comes to maintaining good health, your workout may not be enough. As our lifestyles become more and more sedentary, thirty minutes to an hour of concentrated exercise isn’t enough to battle the hours we spend sitting down. Luckily, it’s easy to fix. Integrating some simple movement into your day can effectively lower blood sugar, triglycerides, cholesterol and waist size – and make you feel brighter and more energized all day long.
Take a Hike
Getting moving more each day can be as simple as taking a walk. There’s lot of opportunities to fit a few extra steps into our day. First, start parking further from the door, guaranteeing at least two strolls (in and out) throughout your day. Next time you get the mail or take out the trash, add in a quick walk around the block. If these little strolls start to frustrate you, put in headphones and jam out; you’ll be finding excuses to take more music-fueled walks in no time.
Pace
Try picking up the pace with a little pacing. Walk around the house while you brush your teeth or talk on the phone. Pace back and forth while you wait for your copies to print or your water to boil. If you spend a lot of time on the phone, a headset or Bluetooth can be a great way to get moving – just plug in and do the walk-and-talk.
Get Your Groove On
Next time you’re doing the dishes or tidying your house, put on some upbeat music, and dance it out. Gettin’ jiggy with it is a great way to get moving – and an addictive mood-booster. You never need an excuse to break it down; whether your going through your morning routine, cooking dinner, or just celebrating the end of long day, turn on your personal soundtrack and boogie.Its important to always stay hydrated when working out. Thankfully companies like Strauss Water offer water filter systems to ensure your water always tastes its best.
Start Strong
Set your alarm 10 or 15 minutes earlier, and work in a little morning movement. Choose something you enjoy, whether that be a quick jog or a morning yoga session, and make it the first thing you do post (or pre) coffee. Morning exercise, even for short periods, boosts your metabolism, increases energy and focus, and puts inertia in your favor – an object in motion stays in motion, after all.
Get Grounded
Get out of your chair, and on to the floor. When we sit on the floor, we’re forced to engage muscles usually supported by a chair. Floor sitting strengths the lower back, opens the hips, and strengthens the core, reducing lower back pain and generally preventing the stiffening effects of chair-sitting. Hit the ground when you’re reading the newspaper, watching TV, even (if possible) when working at a laptop. If you need extra support for tight hips, slide a block or pillow underneath your seat and lean against a wall when your back gets tired. You’ll be surprised how quickly your body starts thanking you.
