She Strengthens

Staying Active at Home: Tips and Tricks for a Healthier You

As we spend more time at home, it’s easy to fall into a sedentary lifestyle. But staying active is crucial for our physical and mental well-being. The good news is that you don’t need to leave your house to get moving! Here are some fun and easy ways to stay active at home.

Why Staying Active Matters

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week. Breaking it down to 30 minutes a day, five days a week, is a manageable goal. Regular physical activity can:

• Improve brain health
• Maintain or lose weight
• Strengthen muscles
• Boost your immune system

Ways to Stay Active at Home

1. Walk It Out: Take a walk around your house or neighborhood to get your body moving. Aim for 10,000 steps a day, or about 5 miles.
2. Get a Dog: Having a furry friend can encourage you to be more active, whether it’s taking them for a walk or playing fetch.
3. Clean It Up: Cleaning is a great way to get moving while keeping your home tidy. Try scrubbing the tub or vacuuming the living room to work out your arms.
4. Cook Up Some Moves: Turn cooking into a physical activity by flitting around the kitchen, stretching for ingredients, or doing simple squats while waiting for water to boil.
5. Dance It Out: Put on some music and get dancing! Dancing can boost your mood and energy levels.
6. Make the Most of TV Time: Exercise while you watch TV by using a stationary bike, treadmill, or doing bodyweight exercises.
7. Get Moving with a Podcast or Audiobook: Listen to your favorite podcast or audiobook while taking a walk or doing some light stretching.
8. Resistance Exercises: Use a resistance band to work out different muscle groups, from your upper body to your legs and booty.
9. Sneak in Some Cardio: Try at-home aerobic workouts or take the stairs to get your heart pumping.
10. Pilates and Yoga: Practice Pilates or yoga at home to improve your posture, flexibility, and balance.
11. Stretch It Out: Incorporate simple stretches into your daily routine to avoid sore muscles and joints.
12. Laundry Squats: Make laundry day more active by doing squats as you pick up items from the basket.
13. Stand Up While Folding Laundry: Fold laundry while standing up to improve your posture and avoid sedentary behavior.
14. Garden On the Move: Plant a garden and tend to it to get some physical activity while enjoying the outdoors.
15. Bang It Out: Sex is a great workout that can also help relieve stress and improve sleep.
16. Workout in Bed: Exercise in bed to get your body moving without having to leave your cozy sheets.
17. Work It While You Read: Read while doing wall sits or using a stationary bike to make reading time more active.

Staying Active While Working from Home

When working from home, it’s easy to get stuck in a sedentary routine. Try these tips to stay active:

1. Walk During Calls: Take advantage of conference calls to get in some walking.
2. Don’t Sit, Stand!: Invest in a standing desk or DIY your own to combat poor posture and back pain.
3. Feel Free to Fidget: Fidgeting while working can help you stay active and focused.
4. Lunch and Lunge: Make lunchtime about more than just food – do some squats or lunges between bites.
5. Set Reminder Alarms: Set alarms to remind yourself to get up and move around every few hours.
6. Under Desk Mini Pedal Machines: Invest in a mini pedal machine to keep your legs active while working.
7. Try an Exercise Ball Chair: Use an exercise ball chair to add some bounce to your WFH time.

Signs You’re Not Moving Enough

If you’re experiencing:

• Back, shoulder, or leg pain
• Fatigue
• Increased stress
• Trouble sleeping
• Digestive issues

it may be a sign that you’re not moving enough. Start incorporating physical activities into your daily routine to combat these negative effects.

Remember, staying active is crucial for our overall health and well-being. With these tips and tricks, you can easily stay active at home and make physical activity a part of your daily routine.