Learn how simple changes to your routine can make a big difference. Start prioritizing your well-being today by incorporating daily movement!
Humans are creatures of habit and making a change to your daily routine can seem almost impossible. Nevertheless, achieving lifestyle changes is feasible with persistent effort and commitment. In a day filled with 24 hours, numerous opportunities for physical activity exist. Take a moment to review the following breakdown when you start doubting the significance of NEAT (Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis).
- Most of us spend around 8 hours sleeping which amounts to about 33% of our entire day.
- If you maintain a consistent 1-hour exercise regimen, it only constitutes 4% of your day.
- This leaves you with 15 hours, which accounts for 63% of your day, and extended periods of sitting can have adverse effects on your health. Even if you’re engaged in work for 8-12 hours, it’s essential to prioritize taking breaks to stand up, move, or stretch for at least 5 minutes every hour.
If you find it challenging to establish a regular exercise routine, consider beginning by introducing more movement, such as NEAT. Even if you already maintain a consistent exercise routine but spend a significant portion of your day sitting, it remains crucial to integrate more movement into your daily activities.
- Unless you already struggle with staying hydrated, try to get up more consistently to get glasses of water instead of keeping a water bottle nearby.
- Use the farthest bathroom from your desk in order to get in more steps.
- Park in the farthest parking spot anywhere you go.
- Take the stairs going up whenever possible.
- If the location you’re going is within walking distance, take the walk instead of driving.
- Hand wash your car instead of taking it to the car wash.
- Get up during commercial breaks and move around instead of sitting while your show starts again.
- Play hide and seek or tag with your children instead of partaking in sedentary activities.
- While talking on the phone, pace around instead of sitting.
- Try commuting to work if possible instead of driving, and get off 1 or 2 stops earlier.
The possibilities are endless, the choice is yours on how you will spend the remaining 15 hours of your day.
