Heard of the incidental exercise trend? It’s fun. It is easy. It’s whatever you want (and need) it to be.
By Charlotte Cruz
WTF is incidental exercise? Well it is literally any physical activity that is done outside of regular planned exercise sessions.
So it can be as simple as walking to the store instead of driving, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, or playing with your kids. While incidental exercise may not seem like much, it can add up over time and have a significant impact on your health and wellbeing.
“THE BEST PART ABOUT INCIDENTAL EXERCISE IS THAT IT’S SUPER EASY TO DO. YOU DON’T NEED ANY SPECIAL EQUIPMENT OR TRAINING, AND YOU CAN FIT IT INTO YOUR DAY IN SMALL AMOUNTS OF TIME.”
There are sooo many benefits to incidental exercise. It can help you:
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Reduce your risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and some types of cancer
- Improve your mood and energy levels
- Reduce stress
- Improve sleep quality
- Strengthen your bones and muscles
The best part about incidental exercise is that it’s super easy to do. You don’t need any special equipment or training, and you can fit it into your day in small amounts of time.
Tips for increasing your incidental exercise
- Park further away from your destination and walk the rest of the way.
- Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
- Get up and move around every 20-30 minutes if you have a sedentary job.
- Walk or bike to work or school if possible.
- Take a brisk walk or run during your lunch break.
- Do some chores around the house, such as mowing the lawn, gardening, or cleaning.
- Play with your kids or pets.
If you’re new to incidental exercise, start slowly and gradually increase the amount of time you spend moving each day. Even a few minutes of incidental exercise can make a difference. And the more you move, the better you’ll feel.
Creative ways to incorporate it into your day
- Have a walking or biking meeting with a colleague.
- Take a dance break while you’re listening to music.
- Do some squats or lunges while you’re waiting for the coffee maker to brew.
- Stretch while you’re watching TV.
- Take a lap around the block while you’re waiting for your child to get out of school.
The possibilities are endless! So get creative and find ways to move more throughout your day. Your body will thank you for it.
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