It goes without say that being active is among the best ways of keeping healthy. A common trend known as Habit stacking helps in maintaining an active lifestyle. Habit stacking is linking up a new habit with an activity you already do. It’s the small things that count when habit stacking, for example standing up when texting.
Here are a few more examples of Habit stacking that you can implement:
Get up and move while yawning. Feels nice when yawning right? That is because it’s a natural response to being tired. In fact, yawning is usually triggered by sleepiness or fatigue. Try move around after every yawn or stretch your joints.
Get up and move while talking on the phone. How many times do you talk on your phone? Taking 100 steps during and/or after every phone call can help stimulate your body. Motion also allows your brain to release endorphins that help relieve stress.
Get up and move when you see/hear an advert. When watching television, it is good to take a break every now and then. You can do this when there is an advert. You can take it a level higher and do a few pushups every time an advert plays.
Do a squat every time you leave the bathroom. It’s considered normal to urinate about six to eight times a day depending on fluid intake. This offers a great opportunity to get in a few workouts. If you do 10 squats after using the toilet you should have done a total of 80 squats on a good day.
Walk around the block after meals. How sleepy do you get after a meal? Its common to see people taking a quick nap after having lunch. In Spain, taking a siesta is a common thing. Taking a walk around the block can help fight sleep by increasing energy levels and also improve cardiovascular fitness.
Benefits of an active lifestyle include:
- Strengthen your bones and muscles
- Improve muscle endurance
- Maintain a healthy weight
- lose body fat
- Increase energy levels
- Improve cardiovascular fitness
- Improve your mood, cognition, memory and sleep
- Prevent or manage various conditions, including heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, cancer and type 2 diabetes
