Here are 5 easy ways to get more movement in your life. They say that “at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity” is recommended to life a healthy lifestyle and maintain a healthy heart. I’ve got 5 easy ways to get more movement in your life, that are easy to fit into any fast paced life! That is the curse of our modern advances isn’t it, we have progressed so much that we do and move less physically. So let’s be more mindful about the value and FUN of having more movement in your life!
A Daily Walk
I’m sure you’re thinking “Oh yeah, just walk” but I really feel like people under-value a good walk. We hear all the time about how running is good for us and people running a 5k or half marathon are “so healthy” but that isn’t what I’m talking about here. I’m talking about just walking laps around the exterior of your house, walk up and down your neighborhood street or walk to town.
The space around you whether you live in town or in the country, in a home or an apartment building, is going to change what options you have. You could always hop on a treadmill but if you don’t already have one, then it isn’t free and therefore it won’t be easy to start. But you can put on some comfy shoes and just get up and go outside, weather permitting.
For me, even just a 15 minute walk outdoors in natural sunlight can dramatically boost my mood! You will feel your back and thighs begin to loosen if you’re used to sitting behind a desk all day. Whether you are counting miles or steps or not, if you just made an effort to walk around outside for 15+ minutes, it would definitely be a good benefit to your quality of life!
Mini Exercise Bike
Another easy way to get more movement in your life; this one might sound silly to you but I feel like this little mini exercise bike would be more activity than you’d get with out it. Maybe?
Images from Amazon.com
Some of us have desk jobs and if you also work from home you could find yourself stuck in a desk chair 6, 8 or even 12 hours a day. If you make it a priority to go take a walk, that’s wonderful. But if the weather is cold or rainy or maybe you just have 5 minutes before a conference call and you’re feeling pint up, try this!
It’s so small and can slide right under your desk, it’s very affordable on Amazon, for less than $50! You can get one on Amazon in this link here! For such a small investment up front, I say get it to have as a good option. You can stay in your desk chair, maybe spin while on a boring zoom where they don’t need to see you or you’re just there listening but not speaking. It would be considered minor cardio but would definitely get your blood pumpin’ and be good for you!
Park Further Away
I think this is a tip that dieters have been sharing for years and after 14 years of living this practice myself, I have to share it. Park further away, quit circling the lot looking for the closest parking spot to save you 20 ft of walking and this is an easy way to get more movement in your life.
Why? Why are we so concnerned about saving ourselves 20 feet coming and going? Are you in THAT much of a rush? I mean…if you don’t WANT to walk 20 feet…I’m going to bet you’d probably really benefit from it, as we all would. I like to park in the back half of the parking lot although not all the way down there because my kids complain about it. But then you’re just adding more and more steps to your day, doing the same thing you were already there doing but yet getting MORE movement in your life!
Pick up your Groceries Yourself
I know that curb side pick up has become a life saver and time saver for a lot of us post-2020!
But if you have been doing pick up orders for 1+ years now, do you ever think about how many physical steps you’re missing out on in your life by not doing it anymore?
Imagine this, you used to go grocery shopping once a week and you’d walk around the store on average about 45 minutes gathering up everything on your list. For the average person that is 5000 steps and around 2 miles of walking!!!! Okay think about it…
If you did that weekly for a year you’d be getting:
2340 minutes of activity a year
or 39 hours of activity a year
by walking 104 miles to get your groceries around the market
Think about how much that adds up! Ever since you QUIT getting your groceries yourself, you’ve given up 104 miles of walking per year that you were probably getting before! And granted if you were more conservative and got groceries bi-weekly you’re still looking at 20 hours of activity and 50+ miles of movement in your life! Go back to it! Do like I do and use the Walmart app all week to track what I need and make my list because it also saves my favorites and all items bought. Then I just GO and get groceries myself unless I have a particularly time crunched day.
I know you’re probably busy, we all are and it’s such a curse of our current culture and “progression” but if you can make the time on a Saturday with your kids or maybe go alone as me-time…add that activity back to your life!
Have a Dance Party Every Day
Likely another under-rated option…a solo or partner dance party!!
I recently added this to my life in the last few month and every weekday morning it gets my day started out on the right foot! I opt to do a solo and private dance party when I’m getting dressed and doing my make-up for the day. I use ear buds and have a playlist on my phone of hype music that have positive lyrics, amped vibes and always makes me feel HAPPY and energetic!
I dance around my room to 3-4 specific songs each morning as I get ready and even after I’m dressed, I’m just vibing out with myself in the morning. When I end I’ve almost started to get a sweat on and I’m ALWAYS in a good mood! Give this one a go and comment below and let me know what your favorite hype song is, I’d love to hear from you!
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xoxo,
Elizabeth Richey
About the Author: Elizabeth Richey, living and thriving in rural Arkansas, Aquarian and iced coffee enthusiast. When she’s not writing, gardening, playing with her chocolate lab Maple or sharing videos on YouTube (Elizabeth’s Many Adventures) you can find her enjoying time with her family or traveling somewhere new! Most of the time she’s dreaming of being kicked back in her hammock in her cottage garden listening to the birds sing.
