In addition to previous discussion about Incorporating activity into daily life Walking and more – increase your physical activity levels at home, work and play) increasing the amount of walking you do, why not try out some of these ideas to help increase your physical activity levels at home, work and play.
At home
- Gardening will help you feel warm and boost your heart rate against your physical goal. Heavy gardening, for instance shoving and digging, is an exercise in energy.
- Make housework enjoyable-put some music in the kitchen while you cook, purify and dance while you work for additional movement and to make your weekly tasks more fun!
- Training videos, apps and games will assist you in an activity (e.g. dance, aerobics, pilates) without requiring a session in which to coordinate. You will join the entire family.
At work
- Try to organise a lunchtime or after-work activity with your colleagues – this could be anything from a power walk to a tennis tournament, or something as simple as a game of rounders in the park.
- Set up a workplace physical activity challenge – a bit of friendly competition can help to increase physical activity and team bonding. Active travel is an easy way to increase physical activity.
- Invest in a bike or scooter instead of using the car or other motorised transport
At play
- Enter a sports club, such as a badminton, netball, soccer, dance, martial arts, biking and running club. It is also a perfect way to make new friends and not only does it help you be more involved.
- Enter a gym – several fitness centers, from trainings to yoga, offer a range of different exercise classes. There can also be a swimming pool in the nearby leisure centers.
- Participate in a 5 km organized run, many for all ages and abilities throughout the region. Most of these are free, some of which are run by charities so that the good cause can be fit and sponsored!
Increasing activity with the kids
In the early years of life, active play is a fundamental part of physical, social and emotional development. As children grow, being active builds the foundation for an active life. Once learnt, a skill like swimming or being able to ride a bike is there for life.
Take a cycle trip, stroll or find out if there is any Ice Rinks or swimming pools close by – seek and do something together as a family. Or, either go to the park, throw a frisbee or play the game. Playing, jumping, running, chasing is one of the easiest ways to keep children physically involved, as it’s great fun and they’re going to forget about it.
Ideas for active play with children, suggested by the British Heart Foundation, include;
- Doing some gardening or household tasks together;
- Playing chase games like tag;
- Collecting objects like twigs, leaves and pebbles;
- Choose active toys for birthday presents such as a ball, bat or kite;
- Dance to music.
Sport can be associated with activities for older children, including meetings with friends, recreation and recreation. ‘Back to ….’ programs, such as netball and cricket, will help older children get back to their sports. Fresh, more casual and usually youth-led games such as Street Rugby and rush hockey can also be enjoyed in some areas.
Decreasing inactive times
It is also important to be mindful that you spend sedentary time (sitting or lying-not sleeping counts) as well as increasing your physical activity rates. Many occupations involve a long sitting in an office and leisure times are mostly spent watching TV or using a phone, like browsing the web or playing video games. Seek not to sit down for a long time – get up, walk about and think of more positive ways to spend your free time.
