Are You Sedentary? 5 Ways To Sneak More Movement Into Your Busy Life

Not as active as you could be?

Join the club.

Even if your New Year’s resolution of going to the gym every day fell flat, not all hope is lost. Recent research has found that moving more throughout the day can deliver similar benefits as a workout session.

Why does this make a difference? About 69% of Americans say that low back pain affects their daily lives, and this is just one of the many inevitable dangers of sitting in front of a computer screen all day long. Since we are sitting more than ever before, it’s time to find any opportunity to get up and loosen up.

So, how can you squeeze more movement into your day?

“Moving more takes very little effort but adds up throughout the day,” Elizabeth Narins writes in Women’s Health. “And while short bouts of activity won’t necessarily help you lose weight or keep it off, everyone can benefit from a little more movement—especially when you can’t squeeze in a proper workout.”

To help you get your body in motion, get started with these ideas.

1. Dance around the house. Whether you take to the dance floor with flare or shy from your lack of rhythm, dance is a great way to sneak in some extra steps. Throw on some tunes when you’re making dinner, getting ready in the morning, or for spontaneous dance parties with your kids.
2. Walk to complete tasks. Take a walk to grab coffee in the morning and stroll to the store to pick something up, for example. Before you hop in your car to run an errand, consider whether you can walk there or ride your bike. You might be missing crucial opportunities to move.
3. Revamp your desk job. Some careers require you to sit at a desk. That’s the simple reality. But that does not mean you need to succumb to a sedentary career. Buy a standing desk, sit on an exercise ball, walk while you take phone calls, and plan active lunch breaks. There are plenty of ways to sneak movement into your job; you just need to be creative.
4. Try a walking meeting. The next time you schedule a meeting, consider taking it on the move. This can be especially effective for two-person meetings.
5. Play with your kids. The average adult takes about 4,000 to 6,000 steps per day, but try keeping up with your kids. Rather than sitting while your kids play, jump right in and join them.

By staying mindful about how much you are moving per day, you can revamp your lifestyle to be more active. And this is true for all careers. Once you get started moving more per day, you are sure to feel the benefits.