Ready to Get Back into Your Physical Activities?
Do you make an effort to be active and get some exercise every day?
It has been proven that exercise can extend your life, improve your mood, assist you in maintaining a healthy weight, and can also increase your strength, flexibility, endurance, and balance.
Not to mention, it can also assist you in managing chronic pain and other health conditions.
Why you should continue to stay active throughout your life
According to PT in Motion News, 80 percent of Americans do not follow the Department of Health and Human Services’ physical activity guidelines. Many people struggle to find the time or motivation to exercise.
The truth is that being physically active can vastly improve your health, comfort, mobility, and overall quality of life. That is why it is critical to stay active, even if you lead a relatively sedentary lifestyle.
Because physical activity is so important, our physical therapy team is always looking for new ways to get our patients moving. Here are seven suggestions for you to consider!
1. Go on a walk
No need to overcomplicate things. Even just standing and walking more throughout your day can help you stay physically active!
To get your steps in, be sure to take the stairs, stand at your desk, go for walks with your loved ones or co-workers, and avoid sitting for more than an hour at a time.
2. Exercise in smaller increments
While a good goal is to get at least 30 minutes of daily physical activity, you don’t necessarily have to do all 30 minutes at once.
It’s still possible to benefit from doing several shorter bouts of exercise throughout the day—perfect if you have a packed schedule and only short windows of time to get moving.
3. Get yourself a support system
In our experience, our patients do better when they have other people in their lives who support their efforts to get more active.
So, encourage your loved ones to join you in your commitment to get moving, or sign up for a group workout class—whatever you need to help you stay more accountable.
Are you currently living with a chronic health problem? Connect with an online or in-person support group in your area so you can interact with other people living with your condition and motivate each other to stay more active.
4. Create a routine that includes exercise
Whether you love to work out in the morning, take a midday brisk walk during lunch, or hit the gym after work, it’s helpful to do your workout close to the same time every day.
This helps you establish a consistent routine so you can get the most benefits out of your exercise over the long-term.
In addition, consider adding your workouts into your weekly planner, just like you would do with any other appointment. Knowing when you’re going to workout ahead of time helps you stick to your plan.
5. Get your workouts in during commercial breaks
Commercial breaks are annoying. But instead of flipping the channel or scrolling through your phone the next time an ad comes on, you can use it as an opportunity to stand up and get a little activity in.
Whether you choose a quick yoga flow, some simple chair stretches, or even your physical therapy exercises, there’s plenty you can do right in the comfort of your own living room.
6. Start a new hobby that includes exercise
It doesn’t really matter what type of physical activity you do—what matters most is whether you’re consistent with it! So, figure out which types of exercises you love and focus on these.
7. Consult with a physical therapist
A lot of people don’t get enough physical activity every day because they’re dealing with chronic pain that can make it difficult, uncomfortable, and sometimes unsafe to move.
One of the biggest benefits of working with a physical therapist is that he or she can provide services that alleviate your pain, improve your balance, function, and strength, and increase your confidence and self-efficacy so daily exercise is manageable.
Contact us to learn more
Whatever your current level of physical activity is, physical therapy can help you improve your fitness, decrease your risk of injury, and eliminate pain from sore muscles.
Are you interested in learning more about how physical therapy can help promote a healthy, active lifestyle? Call us today to set up your initial consultation.
