Did you know that April is national Move More Month?
Whether you are working from home or getting out and about, squeezing more movement into your daily routine is an easy and simple way to up your fitness without too much extra effort.
Sitting or lying down for extended periods increases your risk for chronic health issues such as heart disease, diabetes and even some cancers. Eek!
Whatโs The Problem with Sitting Down? ๐คท๐ปโโ๏ธ
We all know that being sedentary for too long has a huge impact on our overall health. Sitting or lying down for extended periods increases your risk for chronic health issues such as heart disease, diabetes and even some cancers. Eek! โน๏ธ
Too much sitting is also bad for your mental health โ both anxiety and depression are linked to being seated for too long. And we wouldnโt want that ๐๐ป
As human beings, we are built to stand upright. Our hearts, cardiovascular systems, and bowel functions work more effectively when weโre standing โค๏ธ So, getting up and about is very important and not as hard as you may think it is. There are plenty of simple ways to include physical activity in your day. Here are some of our top suggestions ๐ค
1) Get in the mood to move
Whether it be joining a local walking group ๐๐ป, checking out a spinning class ๐ด๐ปโโ๏ธ at your gym, or looking for a nearby yoga studio ๐ง๐ปโโ๏ธ, it is important that you find an activity that makes you happy. After all, the last thing we would want for you is to feel that getting active is a drag and that you donโt want to do it for long.
2) It doesnโt have to cost you money
The best and most simple ways to get moving are by either walking, running, or cycling. Not only are these activities free ๐๐ป๐๐ป๐๐ป, but theyโre also fantastic for your health. Taking part in these forms of exercise promotes heart health, mental health and boosts your immune system ๐ช๐ป They can also help you lose weight or maintain a healthy weight. And, lastly, running, walking, and cycling improves your stamina, extends your lifespan, and can even prevent chronic illness and disease ๐
3) It doesnโt have to cost you time
While walking, cycling and running are fantastic but we understand that there isnโt always the time to get this kind of exercise in ๐ซ. Life gets in the way, washing piles up, and your to-do list is endless. We hear you!
Simple things that you can do while you are at home are:
ยท Get some cleaning in – Yes, cleaning ๐งผ burns calories. Not only do we get our joints moving and hearts pumping, but we also give the house a spruce up.
ยท Do some moves while the kettle boils – You can run ๐๐ปโโ๏ธ on the spot for 30 seconds, read while standing up, do some lunges or even do a few simple yoga poses.
ยท Balance while brushing your teeth โ Stand on one leg while you brush your teeth ๐ and build strength and help balance. All while we are cleaning our pearl whites.
ยท Do a desk work out ๐๐ปโโ๏ธ โ Rolling your shoulders, turning your head from side to side and bringing your knees to your chest keeps the blood flowing and stops us stiffening up.
ยท Dance like nobody is watching – One of the best ways to get moving and feeling good is to put those earphones in, crank up the beat, and let your hips do their thing ๐๐ป ๐บ๐ป
Measuring Success!
Everyone loves progress, so monitoring your activity can motivate you to do more. Use a tracker, app, or smartphone ๐ฑ to measure your steps, how far you have walked/cycled or how many calories you have burned. You will be surprised how a little more movement makes a difference.
No matter how you get moving, just know that you are making a commitment to yourself ๐ and there is truly no better investment you could make. Youโve got this! And we are with you all the way!
Give us a call on 01245 699152.