Pause for a moment and think about what your average day looks like. Consider how much time you spend sitting still – at your work desk, in your car, watching Netflix, etc. Now think about how much time you actually spend moving around. Is there a big disparity?
The Importance of Being Active
For most of human history, humans have been fairly active. But over the past 25 to 30 years, the rise of technology and shifts in society have allowed people to adopt more sedentary lifestyles. And while being sedentary may feel convenient, it’s having disastrous effects on our health.
Individuals who spend most of the day sitting and do not engage in physical activity on a regular basis are more prone to health issues, chronic diseases, and other complications. The solution is to be more active.
“Regular physical activity is one of the most important things you can do for your health,” the CDC explains. “Being physically active can improve your brain health, help manage weight, reduce the risk of disease, strengthen bones and muscles, and improve your ability to do everyday activities.”
In addition to the long-term health benefits mentioned above, physical activity provides a number of immediate perks, including reduced feelings of stress and anxiety, increased focus, decreased pain, and improved sleep quality.
5 Simple Ways to Be More Active
You don’t have to make some massive life change to become more physically active. It’s about implementing simple steps that change the way you approach your daily life. Here are several suggestions:
1. Take a Walk in the Morning
Start your day off with a brisk morning walk. It doesn’t have to be a super long walk, either. A quick one-mile loop around the neighborhood will help you wake up and get the blood pumping.
2. Schedule Physical Activity
Anything that’s important in your life gets scheduled. Work meetings, dates with your partner, your child’s soccer games – they all get inked into the calendar. What gets scheduled gets done.
Make sure you’re scheduling physical activity into your calendar. Create a dedicated time slot every day/week for going on a jog or visiting the gym. This will help you stay consistent.
3. Hire a Personal Trainer
Anyone can show up to the gym and run on the treadmill or lift some weights. But if you want to maximize your time in the gym and improve your health, hire a personal trainer. A good personal trainer will develop a customized training plan, motivate you, hold you accountable, and offer ongoing advice. Some trainers will even help you create a nutrition plan to accompany the workouts.
4. Invest in a Standing Desk
If you work at a desk, we highly recommend investing in a standing desk. It will allow you to switch between sitting and standing throughout the day.
This might seem like a small thing, but it can reduce your “sitting” time by 15 to 20 hours per week (which is incredibly important for your overall health).
5. Avoid Modern Conveniences
Modern conveniences are great, but they may actually stand in the way of you being active. Here are some examples of how you can “avoid” modern conveniences and improve your fitness:
– When you have the option of taking an elevator or stairs, choose the stairs. In some cases, you might even make it to your destination faster (when you take into account the time spent waiting on the elevator and making additional stops).
– Don’t waste time circling to the parking lot to find the perfect spot that’s close to the store entrance. Park further away and walk. You can easily get a few hundred additional steps per day by following this principle.
These tips sound great in theory, but are actually very challenging for most people to implement when it actually comes time to follow through. Having said that, it’s all about discipline. If you can follow these simple habits, you’ll establish a healthy and active foundation that will carry with you the rest of your life.
Take Control of Your Life
Becoming more physically active requires a steady, long-term commitment to doing the little things right. If you integrate the habits and suggestions highlighted above into your life, you’ll be amazed by how powerful the results are. You’ll notice short-term benefits, including weight loss and lower stress. But it’s the long-term benefits – like a healthier heart and mind – that are the real prizes. Prioritize a more active lifestyle and there’s everything to gain!
Tags: personal trainer, standing desk
