10 easy ways to increase physical activity in everyday life
Did you know that by standing instead of sitting at work, you increase your metabolism by 40%? Get more tips on how to increase physical activity in your everyday!
Long, still sitting days at work is really bad for our health. Your bank account might be happy, but your health certainly isn’t. Many of us also believe we are being active enough just by spending a few hours at the gym each week. The most important difference might be unexpected: more of the easy stuff! Wait, what? You read it right. Physical activity in everyday life is for sure the most beneficial “quick fix” you will get across, and these are our tips on how to increase it.
Stand up at work!
Doctor ant nutrition specialist Berit Nordstrand shows that by standing your way through the workday you will increase your metabolism by as much as 40%. Quite good, considering the amount of work required!
Stand up once every hour!
We all have to sit on our asses from time to time. Standing up every hour might sound like something you’re already doing, perhaps are you even convinced you never sit for as much as an hour in a row. But just think about it. You get to work, start answering e-mails, replying to colleges and costumers, and bam – lunch time. Now how many hours did you spend just sitting there completely lost in the world of e-mails? Make sure to get your ass off that chair at least once every hour, and you will soon feel the difference. You can use the opportunity to go grab a cup of coffee or a glass of water.
Use the stairs!
Such a classic way to increase physical activity in everyday life. Taking the stairs will increase your heart rate and thereby your metabolism. It is great for your behind too, and thighs will tighten! Your posture will improve, and you will save the environment. So many wins!
Walk around when being on the phone!
It might not be that popular to stroll around inside an open office but try walking around when you’re speaking in your phone. It will break down the time interval you spend sitting still and increase your metabolism through the day. Easy physical activity in everyday life, and you won’t even notice doing it!
Leave the car parked!
When you have some extra time, leave the car parked and use your legs instead. Walking half an hour to the store is sufficient enough to cover the recommendations for daily physical activity in everyday life and will help you get in better shape.
Stay active when brushing your teeth!
The time spent brushing your teeth cannot be avoided. Why not just make a routine of doing some standing calf raises while brushing? The perfect example of just how easy physical activity in everyday life can be implemented. Start by doing 25 standing calf raises and increase it by 5 every week. You’re going to have legs of steel in no-time!
Get off the bus one stop early!
By getting off the bus earlier than planned you get yourself some time to be active. Just getting off one stop before your intended location will give you crucial movement. By standing instead of sitting where possible it will be even more beneficial.
Stop sending emails!
Alright, this might sound strange. But by skipping an email or two to your colleges, you can get some activity by walking over to them and bringing the message by person instead. You get to break down time spent sitting, sneak some socializing in, and if they have their office one level up you get some increased heart rate as well. Perfect way to get some easy physical activity in everyday life.
Exercise your vacuum-cleaner!
Many of us have already exchanged the loyal vacuum-cleaner with the robot version. The robot will do, but did you know that doing your daily duties in the house is a great way of staying in shape? Don’t let the dust bunny further expand their breeding. Have a dance with the good old vacuum-cleaner and you will burn off plenty of calories in easy physical activity in everyday life.
Do pushups while waiting for your coffee!
Do 10 pushups while waiting for your cup of coffee or tea in the morning. If you’re feeling energic, make it burpees instead and benefit from activating more muscles.
Why bother to increase physical activity in everyday life?
The risk of developing diseases skyrockets by our increasingly still-sitting everyday life. Countless hours in front of the computer both at work and at home worsens our posture and is an energy thief if we don’t make sure to break down time spent sitting still.
Besides, there are plenty of benefits related to increasing the general activity level just a tiny bit. Low intensity activity won’t bring your heart and lungs to the test, but it improves your cardiovascular system by increasing their work environment. Easy physical activity in everyday life also regulates your appetite. Hardcore workouts will leave you a feeling of intense hunger, while the less intense everyday activity makes you stay in shape without boosting the appetite massively.
Increased everyday physical activity improves your movement pattern
It is beneficial to be aware of your own movement pattern. Are you the one to slowly drag yourself upstairs, holding onto the banister as if your life depends on it? Or do you move more efficiently, taking two steps in one and generally moving around faster? By spending energy steadily throughout the day, you won’t only be able to mark the list for well-carried out easy physical activity in everyday life. You will increase your energy level, do more, and get in better shape mentally as well as physically.