It’s true that finding time to workout during the day might be difficult. For many people, it appears to be an all-or-nothing deal! You work for 8 hours, commute home, drive your children to their activities, prepare supper, and get ready for bed…who feels like working out? Sometimes it can feel like there aren’t enough hours in the day to get the amount of physical activity you desire. Finding the time and energy to do so can be tough – we get it. However, it’s not an excuse! There are tons of ways to get the most out of your day while also making it a point to get more physical activity in.
Fortunately, there are a number of simple methods to include physical activity into your everyday routine without having to go to the gym or schedule a session. You may greatly increase your physical activity by following some of these simple ideas.
If you’re experiencing upper extremity pain or discomfort that is preventing you from getting in the amount of physical activity necessary, request an appointment with Hand In Hand Rehabilitation. Our skilled team of occupational therapists and hand therapists can help you return to a safe, active lifestyle!
How can I participate in more physical activity?
Here are seven ways you can get more physical activity into your daily routine.
1. Avoid taking the shortest route to your destination.
We all want to move from one place to another as quickly as possible. We use elevators, park near entrances, and enter and exit through the closest doors… But, except from saving time, this adds no long-term value. Make it a habit to take the stairs at work or park in the back of the parking lot at your grocery store. These simple actions can greatly increase your daily physical activity.
2. Put your exercise equipment in places you frequently spend time.
There are several ways you can do this! It’s a sneaky way to trick yourself into exercising more often.
For example, you can keep training equipment in plain sight throughout the house. Place your yoga mat in front of the television. Keep your 5-pound weights by your desk’s side. By having your equipment visible, you’ll be more likely to use it (because, let’s face it, who wants to rummage through their hall closet at the end of the day to find their yoga mat?)
Make it a habit to exercise while performing everyday tasks around the house, such as watching the news, cooking supper, or simply sitting at your computer.
3. Walk when you can.
We all get a lunch break, and we can use it to make healthy choices. Instead of dining at the office cafeteria, order food from a restaurant down the street and walk there to pick it up — of course, make sure it’s nutritious!
Alternatively, you can bring a sack lunch and eat it at your desk before or after your workout if you choose this option. This will allow you to set aside time each day for physical activity.
4. Do your chores!
Yes, we’re telling you to clean your house! By doing chores for 20 or 30 minutes a day, organizational experts believe you can achieve a cleaner and healthier lifestyle. In addition, you can also get a bit of a workout in! Vacuuming, dishwashing, trash removal, and laundry all necessitate physical exertion. It’s really an all-round win!
5. Try to get up more often at work.
Ideally, we’re supposed to get up and move around every 30-60 minutes throughout the day to initiate stronger blood flow, and to allow our bodies to stretch and warm up. But how many of us actually do that? Honestly, not many of us do.
However, you can trick yourself into getting up more often. Maybe you use a smaller glass for your water than usual, so you have to get up and go to the sink every time you finish it. Or, maybe you make a trip to the copy room every time you have to use a stapler or hole puncher, instead of keeping your own on your desk. By ridding yourself of these small “conveniences” that we create for ourselves, you’ll be able to get up and move around much more than you would otherwise.
6. Opt to stand more, rather than sitting.
This may be one of the easiest ways to get exercise – simply by standing in place! While it may not seem like much, standing is significantly healthier than sitting. You burn more calories by standing, and it is incredibly helpful to your posture as it decreases the ability to slouch or hunch over. It also helps in keeping blood sugar steady after a meal, and it encourages more movement overall.
7. Consult with an occupational therapist.
Are you living with pain that’s hindering you from exercising as much as you’d like? Are you looking for a more structured way to add physical activity into your life? Are you unsure where to begin? Whatever the case may be, occupational therapy can help you improve your physical activity and reach your goals.
Your occupational therapist can create a customized fitness plan for you to help you move in the ways you want to. He or she can also supply you with pain management methods and procedures if pain is an issue. Occupational therapists are movement experts, making them excellent resources for achieving physical goals!
Give our clinic a call today
If you’d like more assistance on how to get yourself moving, don’t hesitate to contact us today. We’ll set up a plan for helping you improve your physical activity as easily as possible! Our occupational therapists and hand therapists are here to help you with whatever injury or ailment you need help recovering from.
Request an appointment with Hand In Hand Rehabilitation today!
