Adding More Movement to Every Day

One of the most beneficial things we can do for ourselves is to move for 30 minutes each day. This can help improve our sleep, physical health, and mental wellness. But regrettably, we don't always have the time to squeeze in an exercise session every day.

The concept of movement minutes can help with this because even if you don't have time to go to the gym, work out, and take a shower, you can still find a few minutes each day to stretch out, squat, or even dance! The aim is to keep moving throughout the day to keep your blood flowing and avoid sitting for extended periods.

How to Get More Movement in Your Day

Here are some tips on how you can add a bit of movement to each part of your day.

In the morning, start your day with at least 5 minutes of stretching. Brushing your teeth? Do some lunges or squats! If you are going for a coffee, switch driving to walking.

On your commute:

• Take the bike or walk instead of driving, if possible
• Stand while on the bus or train.
• Opt for a father parking space.
• Do calf raises or glute clenches when sitting.

At the office:

• Have walking meetings.
• Take calls standing or walking.
• Set a reminder to stand up and stretch every 30 minutes.
• Invest in a standing desk.
• Go for a lunch break workout.
• Take the stairs instead of elevators.
• Drink more water for more bathroom breaks.

At home:

• Turn cleaning into a workout.
• Dance to some tunes while cooking.
• Ride a stationary bike while watching TV.
• Stand up and stretch during commercial breaks.
• Stand and walk around while reading.

Start with these recommendations and add more as you go!