12 Simple Ways To Be Physically Active Each Day

Exercise is a critical aspect of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Exercise is a structured activity planned to develop and maintain physical fitness. Exercise has been shown to improve mental health, increase lifespan, and protect against conditions like heart disease, stroke, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and some types of cancer. Exercise can boost your mood, energy levels, and overall well-being.

With the fast pace of modern life, it is often difficult to schedule or develop an exercise routine. Even if there is time for a routine, many people are so tired from daily life that implementing a solid workout regime is still challenging. It is essential to consider other methods to be physically active.

Physical activity is often used interchangeably with exercise, even though they have different meanings. Physical activity is an inclusive term that refers to any expenditure of energy brought about by bodily movement via skeletal muscles. Exercise is a more intensive component of physical activity. Experts are beginning to refer to energy burned doing anything except sleeping, eating, or exercising as non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT).

Even if exercise is not in the routine, there are small ways to add more physical activity to your daily life. Here are 12 simple ways to move your body each day.

Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Taking the stairs is an effective way to stay active. Studies show that climbing ten flights of stairs can reduce the risk of heart disease and improve fitness.
Go for a walk during breaks. Desk jobs can be sedentary. Take a stroll around your office building. Get some fresh air!
Distance parking. People often look for the parking spot closest to the entrance of a location. Park farther away from your destination. This gets in additional steps daily.
Stand instead of sit. Studies show that sitting for long periods can increase a person’s risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and other conditions. Standing has been proven to burn more calories than sitting down. Consider investing in a standing desk.
Walk and talk. Research suggests our bodies are designed to walk and move, not sit. Hunter/gatherer cultures walked as much as four miles a day. Take your phone calls and meetings on the go.
Walk instead of ride. According to research by Georgia State University, people who take at least 10,000 steps have greater energy and significantly lower rates of obesity. Walk to your venue instead of driving when available.
Get off one stop earlier. For those who take public transportation, consider getting off the bus or train at an earlier stop and walking.
Laughter. Laughter has been shown to lower blood pressure, reduce stress hormones like cortisol, strengthen immunity, promote the production of endorphins, increase oxygen intake, and burn calories. Put on a comedy and let the calories burn.
Gardening. Gardening can be an excellent stress-relieving activity that involves constant movement and attention.
Dancing. Dancing is a highly effective way to release stress and get your body moving. Take a moment and dance to one of your favorite jams.
Caring for pets. Pets need to be cleaned, provided for, and watched after. Pets are a great way to get moving. Dogs, for example, often need to go for walks and go outside to do their business. This, of course, gets their pet parents moving as well.
Cleaning. Cleaning is a proven method for burning calories. Cleaning activities include washing dishes, dusting, washing clothes, washing the car, sweeping, mopping, and more. These activities need to be done regularly and can keep you moving at the same time.

Final Word

It is not easy to always make it to the gym. There may not be time to do a workout video every day. But it is still important to be as active as possible. The tips mentioned could operate as small victories until a proper workout routine can be scheduled.