Andy Devaney
Whether it’s due to work commitments or personal responsibilities, many people find staying active a challenge and wind up spending large portions of the day seated.
However, staying active is essential for maintaining good physical and mental health. So, if you’re looking to improve your fitness or just generally feel better and more energised, then here are five effective ways to boost your activity levels.
- Skip the Lift
Walking up or down stairs is a great exercise for your legs and taking the stairs instead of using the lift is one of the simplest swaps you can make to increase your activity levels.
If you work in a building with many floors, you don’t need to climb every flight of stairs every time, even just going halfway up using the stairs can be beneficial.
- Try a New Sport or Exercise Routine
Some people prefer more structured and sociable forms of activity. If this is the case for you, consider taking up a new sport. Whether it’s tennis, football, or rugby, team sports turn physical activity into a fun and sociable event.
By putting ‘playing football’ or similar in your calendar as a recurring event, you can both hold yourself accountable and ensure you have something to look forward to later in the week.
If you don’t have enough spare time to join a sports club, consider engaging in a new exercise routine at home instead. Yoga, Pilates, or strength training are all great ways to build muscle and improve flexibility, and they can be done in as little or as much time as you want.
Whatever you choose to do, ensure you pick something you actually enjoy, otherwise you may not stick to it. Unsure what sport you like? Simply take a look at some options on TV and make your mind up which looks like the best/most exciting for you.
Searching for something like ‘rugby today’ or ‘sports fixtures on TV’ will show you all of the available options, so you can plan your viewing.
- Make Walking Part of Your Everyday Routine
Walking is a simple, easy, and highly effective form of low-intensity exercise that improves cardiovascular health, promotes weight management, and can have a positive effect on your mood.
You can do it alone or use it as a way to catch up with friends and family, but either way it offers an opportunity to take a break from constant screen time and helps to clear your mind of stress.
You should be aiming for at least 30 minutes of walking a day but this can be broken up into three 10-minute walks, two 15-minute walks, or even six lots of five-minute walks – whatever works best for you.
- Take Regular Breaks Throughout the Day
Sitting for long periods of time can have negative effects on your health, leading to back pain, an increased risk of heart disease, and even mental health struggles such as anxiety or depression.
By standing up frequently or going for a quick walk around the room every so often, you can relieve tension, improve circulation, and re-energise yourself to ensure better productivity and focus.
- Set Goals For Yourself
Goals can be incredibly motivating and provide a sense of achievement. As a result, they can often have a positive effect on your mood.
Whether it be to walk 10,000 steps a day or simply get up from your desk at least once an hour, having a clear target allows you to stay on track, turning staying active into an effortless habit.
Even the Smallest Changes Can Have Drastic Effects
Increasing your activity levels doesn’t have to involve a drastic lifestyle change. Even small adjustments to your regular routine, such as taking the stairs or going for a walk on your lunch break, can make a world of difference.
The more active you are, the better you feel, so start with small manageable changes and stay consistent with it.
