Make your move, bit by bit
With the stress of normal work-life balance, plus the shifting rules and anxieties around COVID-19 changing how we live and operate, it can be hard to maintain an active lifestyle. If it wasn’t a priority before the pandemic pushed us all inside our homes, the challenge is even greater now.
That’s where small bouts of movement come in. You may not have time for an online pilates class or to hit the gym, but there are plenty of ways throughout your day to put your body in motion. Here’s a little secret for you: you’re already moving more than you think you are!
Whether you’re chasing your kids, cooking, folding or hanging laundry, chopping or stacking wood, gardening, washing the car, working in the yard, cleaning the house or strolling around the neighbourhood after dinner – every move you make counts toward your overall activity.
So, if you want to add more movement into your day, it’s as easy as adding small bouts of movement wherever you can.
Think about all the opportunities you have to move.
Moving at home
Thanks to COVID-19, there’s a lumber shortage in Nova Scotia, and that’s because homeowners are finally tackling all the projects they had in mind pre-pandemic.
Home renos are a great way to add more movement into your day, from giving the walls a new coat of paint and assembling furniture to more intense projects like adding a room or new bathroom fixtures. Even rearranging a room gets the body moving.
Many households also went all in on their gardens this year, and those need weeding, watering, harvesting and photographing for Instagram. (If you’ve got a lawn, choose the classic push mower over the ride-on to increase your step count.)
Try putting down the remote, closing the laptop and heading outside for a walk. If you’re connecting with friends and family virtually, try walking around the house while you talk to them on the phone. There’s no shortage of ways to move more around the home.
Moving at work
Many Nova Scotians are returning to their offices now—it’s awesome to walk or cycle to and from work if it’s a reasonable distance. But even if you’re still working-from-home, you can avoid sitting at your desk all day. Convert Zoom calls into walking meetings, turn emails into in-person visits (masks on!) and convert your workspace into a standing desk, which you can tackle on a lean budget using items found around the house. Be sure to take breaks throughout the day to take a short walk around the block, yard or home.
Moving to get places
In Nova Scotia, with so many small communities stretched far apart, it’s easy to become reliant on cars. But outside of big shopping trips or family outings, there are ways to add a bit more movement to your day by leaving the keys at home. Walking whenever possible is the easiest—to the post office, the pharmacy, a cafe—but when time is a concern or things aren’t within walking distance, you could also jump on a bicycle or take the bus and get off a few stops before you need to.
If you drive to the shops, park farther away from the door than you usually do. Or park on a neighbouring street and walk the scenic route to your destination.
Moving for leisure
This is where the fun comes in! We’re talking dancing (it doesn’t have to be a class, just put on your favourite playlist and bust out some moves at home!); hiking your favourite trail; throwing a frisbee or baseball around the front yard; taking the dog for a stroll around the neighbourhood; or even learning a new skill like archery or kayaking. If you love yoga or always wanted to try it, roll out your mat and look up a free class on YouTube.
The main takeaway here is that you don’t have to be a dedicated fitness fanatic in order to keep your lifestyle active. All you have to do is make your move, one step at a time.
When we add more movement to our daily life, we feel more confident, more fulfilled, more resilient, less stressed, and of course, healthier.
We’d love to hear how you’re making your move. Comment below and tell us what moves you’re making today!