Staying Active Isn’t Just About Exercise
When someone considers 'active lifestyle', they may think of working out at the gym, running, or biking. Exercise is important, but an active lifestyle is far more than what occurs on a treadmill.
The every day movements we make play a major role. As we age, these movements can be vital to our confidence, mobility and wellbeing.
Being active doesn't mean you have to squeeze in an hour long gym session on top of your every day movements. Rather, building a foundation of everyday movement is key to keeping you active as we age.
How To Build An Active Lifestyle Through Everyday Movement
Our bodies are amazing in that fact that they work best through movement; not sitting around most of the day, then trying to 'make up' for it with an hour-long gym session. Sitting for long periods of time causes stiffness, while regular movement keeps us limber.
Look around, and see how you can be more active through the things your already do.
If you can't see ways to be more active through your day, here are some common everyday activities that can allow you to sneak in extra steps: Walking while talking on the phone, standing up while at work, shopping, walking outside, cleaning, or walking after a meal.
While exercise is good, it's not the only way to increase activity and get blood pumping.
Ways To Add Movement To The Everyday
Walking is probably one of the easiest low-impact exercises you can do throughout the day. It allows you to set your own pace and distance, and you can use your surroundings to your advantage. You can also vary your route to keep things interesting. A walk can be a great way to clear your mind or help you think through a problem.
Wearing the right shoes is also important. Your feet put up with a lot, and should be well taken care of. It's important to wear shoes that allow your feet to move as they should. Barestep is the new big thing in footwear, in that it allows your feet to move, but also protects them.
Your Feet Are An Important Part To Your Active Lifestyle
When it comes to working out, we think of the big muscles, and not so much the small muscles in our feet. But the truth is, the feet do a lot more than hold us up when we walk or run. They adapt to the terrain, keep us balanced, and work with our ankles and legs. Working out also includes giving our feet a chance to move, and be active. Being barefoot while at home is a great way to learn about your feet, and can even help stimulate them. Wearing shoes that allow our feet to move is also a great way to stay active.
An Everyday Activity Can Help You Age Successfully
Being active isn't just about your fitness; it's about how fit you are as you age. That means being able to complete the tasks you do every day with confidence. Mobility, strength, balance and coordination all play a roll in your active, and ageing successfully. A good active lifestyle will include a combination of walking, resistance training, balance and stretching. It will also include everyday activities that you already do. Finding the right activity and routine that works for you is the secret to successful active lifestyle.
How To Easily Add More Movement Into Your Every Day
You don't need to change your entire schedule to be able to add more activity to your day. Look for small opportunities to be more active. Take a walk during your lunch break. Try to take the stairs when you can. Park further away from the entrance to a store when you're out shopping. Listen to a podcast while walking, instead of sitting and watching TV. Take a short walk to the store, instead of driving. Stretch when you wake up, or after sitting for a while. And, every evening, spend a few minutes moving your feet and ankles.
How To Listen To Your Body
Just because being active is a good thing, doesn't mean you should ignore your body's signals. It's important to listen to your body, and know the difference between soreness and pain. If you haven't been active for a while, take it slow and easy when you're starting back up again. Be careful to choose the right shoes for your activity, and to properly break them in. Your body will thank you for it. Pain, soreness and stiffness is usually the bodies way of telling you to slow down, or stop. If you have pain, numbness, tingling, weakness or loss of coordination, make an appointment to see a medical professional. Don't ignore it, and don't try to 'work through' the pain.
Staying Active Is About So Much More Than Just Working Out
Exercise is an important part of any active lifestyle, but everyday movement can help get you through the day. Try to walk more when you can, and take regular breaks to stretch. Do some balance and stretching exercises while you're at it. Stand up and move around the house, or explore outside if you dare. Listen to your feet, and take care of them in the right shoes too. Wether you decide to go on a daily walk, spend some time barefoot at home, or check out the latest in barefoot footwear Barestep, remember that an active lifestyle is made up of one step at a time.
Written by:
Brainito Intelligence
www.brainito.com