3 Strategies to Incorporate Running/ Walking into Your Routine
Exercise is an important activity many people don’t take advantage of due to their busy lives or a lack of motivation—but without adequate exercise, you put your health at risk. Studies show that walking and running can help improve your heart health and even extend your life. The great news is, with a little creativity, you can fit running and walking into your daily routine. Here’s how:
1. Take the Stairs
Walking up a few flights of stairs can help you improve your heart health. So, get in a “walking workout” by just taking the stairs instead of the elevator at work. Continue getting in stair-climbing as part of your daily walking routine when you’re home by using the stairs of your apartment building or home. Get off the couch and get going by listening to a podcast or your favorite music. Do a few trips up and down the stairs as you clean the house or run errands.
2. Walk – or Run – to Work
Make your morning commute more exercise-focused by taking a walk or light jog to work. Research from the Framingham Heart Study suggests that regular physical exercise helps improve cognitive function and reduce your chances of developing dementia. Aim for 150 minutes per week of moderate exercise by walking very briskly. If you’re experiencing health concerns, such as osteoarthritis, tendinitis or arthritis, fit in walking or lightly jogging without overworking your joints by walking at a comfortable pace or jogging on soft surfaces.
3. Walk During Your Lunch Break
Research published in the journal Emotion suggests that walking helps boost your mood. So, if you’re feeling unmotivated, consider breaking up your exercise into 15-minute increments to start and at the end your lunch break to help improve your mood. You can run during the first half and end the second portion with a brisk walk. You can also just take a 30-minute walk around the neighborhood or building campus during your hour-long lunch break. It’s a great way to get some fresh air, soak up the sun and get your daily dose of Vitamin D, all while fitting exercise into your daily routine.
Final Thoughts
Incorporating running and walking into your daily life doesn’t have to be complicated. Just follow these tips to integrate moderate exercise into your daily life—and if you’re ready to enhance your health, consider taking advantage of a partner along the way. As your partner in health, you can count on the expert team at Bee Healthy Clinics to help you along your health journey, whether your goal is to lose weight or gain energy. Just reach out to Bee Healthy Clinics when you’re ready to find that healthier you!