“Ways to Sneak Exercise Into Your Day”

STRETCH: It helps your blood flow through your body, increases your range of motion, and may help prevent an injury. And you can do it anywhere, even at your desk during the workday. But keep it gentle. Don’t push to the point of serious pain, and never “bounce” into a stretch.

1-MILE RULE: If you live close to town, think of all the places you drive within a mile of your home. In the time it takes to load up the car, drive, find -- and possibly pay for -- parking, you could probably have walked there. In heavy traffic, a walk even might get you there faster. 

TENSE YOUR MUSCLES: No time for the gym? No problem. You can do this almost anywhere and in very little time. A typical example: Tighten your stomach muscles for 3 to 10 seconds. Repeat 4 times. Your co-workers won’t even know you’re working out. These exercises may lower your blood pressure as well.  

GET A JOGGING STROLLER: Don’t feel trapped in the house with the kid. Take her with you! A stroller can make your jog an adventure for everyone. So, strap in the munchkin, bring some emergency supplies, and get out into the world. 

HAVE LEASH, WILL WALK: Fido isn’t the only one who needs his daily walk, but the fact that he does can get you moving. Owning a dog makes you more likely to be physically active. The guilt of that unused gym membership is nothing compared to the look he gives you when he wants a walk. So, grab a leash, and maybe a Frisbee, and save that gym membership money for doggie treats.

WALKING MEETINGS: Need 30 minutes to catch up with a co-worker? Do it on foot and kill two birds with one stone. Not only will you get some exercise, but you may also do your job better.

TAKE THE STAIRS: In 1 minute, a 150-pound person burns 10 calories walking up stairs, compared with 1.5 calories taking the elevator. If you’re headed to the 35th floor, you don’t have to tromp all the way up (unless you just want to). Take the elevator to the 30th floor and walk up the last five. And take the stairs one at a time. It actually burns more calories than taking them two at a time.

PARK FARTHER AWAY: Whether you’re at the grocery store, the office, or the post office, park at the back of the lot. You’re less likely to get in a fender bender, and you’ll get closer to your exercise quota for the week.

SPRINT: Just three 20-second sprints, with a 2-minute break in between, may be as good for you as 50 minutes of moderate jogging. You could do that on your lunch break -- and still have time for lunch. Just make sure to warm up first. And ask your doctor if you’re not sure if you’re healthy enough for vigorous exercise.

USE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION: In one city, the average commuter added about 15 minutes of physical activity per day -- mostly walking to and from buses and trains -- when they took public transportation. That’s 105 minutes of the recommended 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity recommended per week. Plus, you’ll save on gas.

TAKE THE LONG WAY HOME: It’s trash day -- you’re going to have to put your coat and shoes on anyway. Why not take a stroll around the block while you’re at it? If the weather’s fine and you’ve got the time, give it a shot whenever you have to be out on foot.

BIKE TO WORK: Local message boards or a bike commuter group can help you find the safest route. There’s lots of help out there. Many companies even have somewhere for you to clean up after your ride.

POWER CHORES: As the person you live with will tell you, you have any number of chances to be active around the house and yard. Scrub the tub a little harder than usual. It can get your heart rate up. Does the car need a detail? Do it yourself: You’ll save some money and get a workout at the same time.

WALK THE MAIL: Need to send a message to a co-worker across the office? Don’t email it, walk it over. It’s a chance to bond with colleagues, and it gets you out of your seat and on your feet for a bit. Do that a few times a day and you’ll be surprised how many steps you can get in.

STAY OFF THE COUCH: Don’t settle in with a bowl of ice cream to watch TV. Put the remote across the room so you have to get up to change the channel. Ride an exercise bike or run in place while you watch, do pushups during commercial breaks, or just tidy up around the living room. You’ll burn calories and be more likely to stay out of the fridge.

Reviewed by: Tyler Wheeler, MD on November 09, 2018

Sources:

CDC: “Five Minutes or Less for Health Weekly Tip: Be Active,” “Change Happens One Step at A Time.”
European Journal of Epidemiology: “Commuting physical activity is favourably associated with biological risk factors for cardiovascular disease.”
Harvard Business Review: “How to Do Walking Meetings Right.”
Journal of Public Health Policy: “Bicycling for Transportation and Health: The Role of Infrastructure.”
LiveScience: “Fit in 60 Seconds? 1-Minute Workout May Be Good Enough.”
Mayo Clinic: “Fitting in fitness: Finding time for physical activity,” “How much should the average adult exercise every day?” “Stretching essentials.”
Michigan State University: “Dog Walkers More Likely to Reach Exercise Benchmarks.”
MoveItMonday: “5 Ways to Add More Steps to Your Day.”
National Institutes of Health: “The Energy Expenditure of Stair Climbing One Step and Two Steps at a Time: Estimations from Measures of Heart Rate,” “Walking and Cycling to Health: A Comparative Analysis of City, State, and International Data,” “Walking, cycling, and obesity rates in Europe, North America, and Australia,” “Opportunities Abound for Moving Around,” “Dog ownership and physical activity: a review of the evidence,” “Physiologic responses to running with a jogging stroller,” “Evidence for the role of isometric exercise training in reducing blood pressure: potential mechanisms and future directions.”
National Strength and Conditioning Association: “The Often Forgotten Exercises: Isometric Training.”

Much Love, Dr.Shermaine #InformativeRead #PleaseShare #HealthyBodySoulAndSpirit #IWantYou2LiveWell

The Goal is to Always Make You Aware of What Concerns Your Body, Soul and Spirit, So You Can Have Open, Honest and Frequent Discussions With Your Physicians and Counselors. You Can’t Treat or Cure What You Don’t Know is Sick.

"It's Not Selfish to Love Yourself, Take Care of Yourself and to Make Your Happiness a Priority. It's a Necessity." (Mandy Hale)

"Self-Care is Not Selfish. You Cannot Serve From an Empty Vessel." (Eleanor Brown)

The contents of the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites, such as text, graphics, images, and other material contained on the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites ("Content") are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites!

If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on the Sites. Reliance on any information provided by WebMD, WebMD employees, others appearing on the Site at the invitation of WebMD, and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine or other visitors to the Sites is solely at your own risk. 

“Use Exercise to Help Depression”

Start Slow: It may be the last thing you want to do when you're feeling down, but exercise releases feel-good chemicals in your brain and can help ease depression symptoms. You don’t have to do too much, maybe just go for a short walk. If you can push yourself to do it a few days in a row, you may not need as much of a push the following day.

Walk or Run: You don’t have to run a marathon or be a speed demon. You don’t even have to run. Start with walking, and you can decide if you want to go faster as you get stronger. It’s not just the exercise that helps -- the great outdoors can lift your mood, too.

Yoga: The fixed and moving poses of this meditative form of exercise can make you stronger and more flexible. That can give you energy and a sense of well-being. The breath control involved in yoga also can calm your emotions. You can look for videos online, but a class gets you out into the world and around other people. Namaste!

Garden: Touching soil may boost a key brain chemical called serotonin, and that can help lift depression. You'll also be active and outside. If you don’t have a patch of dirt of your own, call a local community garden to see if you could work a plot there.

Tennis: It’s good exercise and a great opportunity to let out some emotion without talking about your feelings. You can just hit the ball against a wall, but if you want it to come back across a net, you’ll need someone on the other side. That's a chance to socialize. And if you commit to a time with someone else, you’re more likely to stick to it.

Exercise at Work: If you need a distraction to get your mind off negative thoughts, take a few minutes and step away from your desk. Find a quiet place and do some stretching, or go up and down a flight of stairs -- anything that gets you moving can boost your mood.

Swim: It’s a great, whole-body workout, and some people find the water helps calm them. It doesn’t have to take a huge chunk out of your day: Just 30 minutes of exercise 3 to 5 times a week may be all you need.

Bike: You can get good exercise on a stationary one, but hitting the bike path is a great way to take in the world around you. You don’t need anything fancy -- any two-wheeler will do. Ride it to the store, the coffee shop, or your friend’s house. Just make sure to get it checked by a mechanic first, and don’t forget to wear a helmet.

Strength Training: You use weights, machines, or your own body resistance (like with pushups) to build strength, muscle mass, and flexibility. A simple set of hand weights will work, or even just the floor. The workout isn’t the only thing that improves your mood -- a sense of accomplishment and better body image can help, too.

Walk Your Dog: Fido can help ease your stress, and he may be just the motivator you need. Grab a leash and maybe a Frisbee and get out there. The fresh air won’t hurt, either.

Dance: It’s a win-win-win: exercise, social engagement, and fun. All those can lift your spirits, and you can start at home. While nobody’s watching, turn on a favorite track and let your body move to it. Even short dance sessions can feel good. As you gain your footing and confidence, check for classes at local dance schools or look for a group that gets together to dance.

Sprint: You may need to work up to it, but three 20-second sprints, with 2-minute breaks in between, may be as good for you as 50 minutes of moderate jogging. And they can be a quick way to release some pent-up emotion. Just make sure you warm up -- and ask your doctor if you don’t know if you’re healthy enough for that kind of high-intensity workout.

Basketball: It’s a great workout: You jog, sprint, jump, and throw. You can do it indoors and out, winter and summer, and in a large group or with just one other person. You can even shoot hoops by yourself.

Softball: The focus needed for a long game can help distract you from negative thoughts, and being part of a team adds a feeling of connection. And when you’ve got a whole team that expects you to show up, you’re more likely to, right? 

Reviewed by Laura J. Martin, MD on January 28, 2017

CDC: “Take The Stairs,” “How much physical activity do adults need?”
Harvard Health Publications: “Dancing and the Brain,” “Yoga for anxiety and depression.”
Journal of Aging Research: “Use of Physical and Intellectual Activities and Socialization in the Management of Cognitive Decline of Aging and in Dementia: A Review.”
National Institutes of Health: “Use of Physical and Intellectual Activities and Socialization in the Management of Cognitive Decline of Aging and in Dementia: A Review,” “Scientific Evidence-Based Effects of Hydrotherapy on Various Systems of the Body,” “The Energy Expenditure of Stair Climbing One Step and Two Steps at a Time: Estimations from Measures of Heart Rate,” “Dog ownership and physical activity: a review of the evidence.”
Neuroscience (Journal): “The Energy Expenditure of Stair Climbing One Step and Two Steps at a Time: Estimations from Measures of Heart Rate.”
Mayo Clinic: “Fitness program: 5 steps to get started,” “Depression and anxiety: Exercise eases symptoms.”
MoveItMonday.org: “5 Ways to Add More Steps to Your Day.”
MSU Today: “Dog Walkers More Likely to Reach Exercise Benchmarks.”
PsychCentral.com: “How Swimming Reduces Depression.”
Science Daily: “Benefits of outdoor exercise confirmed.”

Much Love, Dr.Shermaine #InformativeRead #PleaseShare #HealthyBodySoulAndSpirit #IWantYou2Live

The Goal is to Always Make You Aware of What Concerns Your Body, Soul and Spirit, So You Can Have Open, Honest and Frequent Discussions With Your Physicians and Counselors. You Can’t Treat or Cure What You Don’t Know is Sick.

"It's Not Selfish to Love Yourself, Take Care of Yourself and to Make Your Happiness a Priority. It's a Necessity." (Mandy Hale)

"Self-Care is Not Selfish. You Cannot Serve From an Empty Vessel." (Eleanor Brown)

The contents of the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites, such as text, graphics, images, and other material contained on the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites ("Content") are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites!

If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on the Sites. Reliance on any information provided by WebMD, WebMD employees, others appearing on the Site at the invitation of WebMD, and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine or other visitors to the Sites is solely at your own risk.