Improve Your Health by Enhancing Your Physical Activity!
Have you been good about staying active?
Let’s face it, sometimes it can be really hard for us to slow down and take it easy. We all just want to get as much done during the day as possible!
However, it’s time that we become a bit more realistic about what is and isn’t feasible for us to accomplish through sheer willpower alone. Our bodies have limits.
Even though you might really want to complete your entire to-do list within a 24-hour time span, it probably isn’t going to happen!
Instead, you need to begin using these tips and tricks to keep yourself motivated, active, and moving forward on your journey to do it all.
To make things a bit easier for you, here are five easy strategies you can begin implementing immediately to stay active and engaged in your life.
Tip #1: Sleep, sleep, sleep.
It probably sounds ridiculous to say that if you want to stay active, you need to rest more, but it’s the truth. Not getting enough sleep can be detrimental to your health.
About a third of the population in the United States struggles with getting to sleep and staying asleep.
One benefit of physical therapy is that it can help you achieve better sleep, and in turn be more active when you are awake.
Physical therapists have special training that allows them to target areas critical to a good night’s sleep, including tissue healing and pain modulation.
A physical therapist can also provide suggestions for how you can integrate sleep health with overall well-being.
Tip #2: Use a tool to help track your progress.
There are plenty of products out there that can track, encourage, and inspire your physical activity.
Using products like these can even increase your levels of activity, however, the key to success is to set daily, weekly, and monthly goals for yourself, so the tools can track your progress.
Below are some ways using trackers can help!
- Get your friends and family involved in your activities as well. Lots of trackers have features that allow you to measure your progress against another user’s. This kind of comparison can serve as effective motivation! Not to mention, it’s a lot of fun to work out with someone rather than by yourself.
- Write your goal down on paper. You might want to try to get in 10,000 steps per day, but make sure you’re not pushing yourself too hard.
- Make sure to take part in activities you really enjoy. Most tools have limitations with what kinds of activities they are able to measure, so it’s really important to choose a tracker that is based on the activities you like the most. This way you’ll have an easier time maintaining progress.
- Make sure you use your tracking device or tool every single day. Being consistent with something makes it a habit (and you know habits are hard to break!)
Tip #3: Get to cleaning.
Keeping a tidy house can benefit you in more ways than one. Cleaning employs a variety of muscle groups and keeps you moving and active.
With every stretch you make to dust up on a ledge, or to mop underneath a table, you’re exercising muscles that might not get much action otherwise.
For an extra benefit, squeeze your glutes and abdominal muscles as you go from room to room!
Tip #4: Take the dog for a walk!
Having a dog is a super effective way to get yourself moving around outside.
Pets need lots of play and activity so that they can stay healthy, and holding yourself accountable for your pet’s health will most certainly get you outside and running around with them!
Even if it’s just for a short walk with your dog, this kind of exercise is better than sitting on your couch all day. Some physical therapists might even suggest adopting a dog as part of your treatment plan.
Tip #5: Prioritize an active, pain-free life!
The top reason most people give for not staying active is that they are in pain. According to the National Institute of Health, most Americans experience chronic pain on a daily basis.
Nearly 40 million adults report suffering from moderate to severe pain, which is pretty concerning and also points to underlying health issues.
There is good news though! Physical therapy is an effective and easy way to get rid of a majority of your pain.
Manual therapy from a licensed physical therapist or ultrasound treatments can drastically improve a person’s condition, help alleviate pain, and restore joint and muscle function.
Get moving with physical therapy!
Physical activity doesn’t have to be hard, but it’s important that you fit it into your daily schedule.
Whether you’re on a quest to stay fit and healthy, or simply want to enjoy your life more, call our office to schedule a consultation and find out how physical therapy can help.
Tags: healthytips, physicalacitivity, health, wellness, pt, physicaltherapy, physicaltherapist, healthandwellness, naturalpainrelief, achesandpains
