Top tips to get active every day

If you struggle to find time and motivation for regular exercise, you’re not alone.

Joining a gym or pounding the pavement isn’t for everyone, and it doesn’t have to be.By looking at exercise in a different way and making a few small changes, you can create healthy habits that stick.

Start with finding your ‘WHY’

Understanding why you want to be active can help get you motivated, set goals and keep yourself accountable. Ask yourself:

• What are the important areas of your life that could be enhanced
• If you improve your health through exercise?
• What types of movement make you feel good?

It doesn’t matter how big or small the goal, it just has to be meaningful to you. That could be returning to work after an injury, going for a longer walk with your dog or getting a better night’s sleep.

Challenge what ‘exercise’ means and focus on moving

The human body is designed to move. Any extra movement you can add to your day is a positive, so focus on simply moving rather than intense exercise.

Daily physical activity can include many basic day to day activities, such as:

• 10 minutes of weeding
• Walking around the room while on a phone call
• A quick stretching session in your lounge room
• Getting up every hour and walking away from your desk.

Break it up and boost your mood

Getting your recommended amount of physical activity doesn’t have to mean a 30-minute workout every day. Spreading it out into smaller blocks can make it easier to fit in and improve your mental health, as consistent exercise elevates mood and reduces the production of stress and anxiety causing hormones.

Movement increases blood flow to the brain, improving concentration, memory, creativity, learning, and mental stamina. Physical activity also increases endorphins – your feel-good hormones – which can drastically improve mood.

Add stretching to your routine

Stretching is another form of exercise and is just as important to include in your day, especially if you work at a desk. Stretching warms up your body and allows blood to flow, which relieves muscle fatigue and sends extra blood to your brain.

By reframing the way you think about exercise and finding ways to incorporate small amounts of movement into your daily routine, you are on your way to improving your health and wellbeing in a sustainable and enjoyable way.