Active Lifestyle: Signs You’re Not Moving Enough

How often do you find yourself sitting in a day? If you’re like many others, you spend a lot of time sitting down working, watching television, or just hanging out at home. Introducing frequent movement throughout your day to break up long periods of rest is important to lead an active lifestyle.

For some, an active lifestyle could mean that you have to spend 3 hours in the gym every day, but for others it means making an effort to move throughout the day. You’ll be surprised what a few minutes of exercise and movement every day can do for your overall health and well-being.

Are You Moving Enough?

While there are many signals that you may not be moving enough each day there are a few common tell-tale signs.

1. You’re Frequently Tired

If you find yourself tired day after day it could be a sign that you’re not getting enough exercise or moving enough. Even if you eat well and get plenty of sleep, you can still feel fatigue when you’re not active each day. Exercise boosts your energy. If you’re tired, a short walk could be even better for you than a nap.

2. You Have Sudden Pain

Have you ever woken up one morning and it feels like you slept in the wrong position? Your lower back may ache and your legs feel stiff. While morning stiffness is often experienced by those with arthritis, everyone may experience it at some point. Taking a few minutes to stretch and get your blood pumping when you wake up is a great way to start your day.

3.  You Feel Stressed

Stress can be detrimental to your overall well-being. But, simply walking or exercising 20 to 30 minutes can release endorphins, the “feel-good” neurotransmitters, and improve your mood and overall health. Being aware of a lack of movement and choosing to be active can also put your mood in a better position than it was.

4. You’re Forgetting Things

Our brains need exercise just as much as the rest of our bodies. Excessive time spent sitting can impact the medial temporal lobe, the area of the brain essential for memory. Frequent exercise can not only help strengthen this area of the brain, but it can also help slow age-related cognitive decline like dementia.

How Can You Move More In A Day?

Our days can be busy. We may not always think or feel we have enough time in the day to add in a 30-minute workout or be more active. But, there are many creative ways you can be more active every day. Here are a few:

• Stand up at work
• Take scheduled walks
• Walk around while on the phone
• Try a 10-minute workout

To keep things interesting, pick several different activities that you enjoy and space them out over the week to avoid boredom. Begin with the end in mind. Set your goal! Remember, it doesn’t take much to make a difference. Consistency is the key!