As you become more aware of your health, you might be wondering how to create a more health-friendly lifestyle. A great place to start is incidental exercise, and today we’re sharing some great ways to add it to your everyday life.
Incidental exercise is simply the small physical activities we undertake every day, such as walking up stairs or or cleaning the house. Although it may not seem like much, even small amounts of exercise can have serious benefits over time. An easy way to build more exercise into your life is increasing these moments of incidental exercise. Here are a few ways to do that:
- Park farther away
- Speed walk
- Get an exercise ball chair
- Exercise while waiting
- Clean your house
In the rest of this article, we’ll share more information about each type of incidental exercise so you can confidently add them to your daily routine. So, let’s get started!
What Is Incidental Exercise? [And How To Build It Into Your Day]
Park Farther Away
If you drive a car, you might think you just eliminated a large amount of incidental exercise from your life, but think again! Try parking your car at the back of the parking lot or a few blocks away from your destination, and walk the rest of the way. That’s a simple way to sneak a quick walk into your busy day. Just make sure to leave a little earlier so you won’t be late!
Speed Walk
You probably walk numerous times throughout the day, and each time is a great chance to get your heart rate up by speed walking. Try picking up the pace while at the grocery store, moving between stores while shopping, or even taking the dog for a walk.
Get an Exercise Ball Chair
If you spend most of your day sitting in front of a computer, you might be looking for ways to switch that habit up. One great option is using an exercise ball chair, which forces you to engage your abs and sit up straight to maintain balance. You could purchase one that rests in a stand for a little more stability, or simply sit on a large exercise ball.
Exercise While Waiting
Waiting in line at the store, the pharmacy, the DMV – all of these scenarios can make you feel like you’re wasting your precious time. Try reclaiming your day by taking this opportunity to sneak in a quick workout! Depending on your surroundings, try doing calf raises, mini standing leg lifts, or even wall pushups.
Clean The House
Cleaning your home can give you a great arm workout with all of the scrubbing, sweeping, and pushing heavy furniture. If you hire a cleaner, consider cutting back or eliminating their position to do it yourself instead. Or, if you already clean your home, challenge yourself to do it more often and also increase the frequency of your deep cleans. Your allergies might thank you, too!
These are just a few of the ways in which you can increase your incidental exercise every day. Pay attention to your daily life, and you just might be surprised by how active you truly are!
