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Five Essential Ways to Keep Active

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Welcome to 2020! Another decade has begun and I know what you're thinking - "Where the heck did the last one go?". 2010 doesn't seem that long ago. It was when Mount Eyjafjallajökull erupted causing travel chaos for many and Instagram was launched. Since then lots has happened, but our need to keep in shape hasn't.

The start of the year of course triggers thoughts of New Year Resolutions and new beginnings, but perhaps at time when we also reflect on how far we've come, let's look at some things that we can keep doing in order to stay fit and active as the years progress.

The following list is a "base level" of activity. These are things we can all do. However, to improve your fitness you need to do something that challenges your body. So feel free to add to this list and to increase the intensity. Try to get out of breath and try to work at a level that pushes you out of your comfort zone to a place where you're going to trigger adaptation in your body's systems.

1. Keep Moving

Sounds simple - just move! Think of yourself as an active person and move more. Get up and walk about. Walk to the shops, pace around while on the phone, carry a basket in the shops rather than a trolley - do whatever you can to move your body more today than you did yesterday.

2. Structured Exercise

While the gyms will be busy as people kick start their New Year goals, putting together a structured plan of exercise is no bad thing. It could be a gym based routine using weights that will not only give you a great shape but also help with bone health and overall balance and coordination. You could try a cardiovascular based programme to help improve your heart health and ensure all your systems are working well together. Seek out the help of a personal trainer who can develop a personalised programme for you.

3. Get out and Walk

Walking is something that is free to everyone and everyone who can walk can fit more into their day. Whether it's a walk around the park at lunchtime or a walk to the furthest photocopier in the office, try to get more steps in each day. 10, 000 is the classic target (see this blog article where I explore this idea more) but another good goal is to try and get at least a 10 minute brisk walk in every day (one where you become out of breath). Here's a good UK NHS site to help you with that.

4. Balance

How many of us neglect balance? It's a key component of fitness and one that we take for granted - until it fails us. Make sure you challenge your body during exercise by throwing in some exercises or activities that challenge your body to remain stable through the movement. For example, try doing bicep curls standing on one leg, or try a classic plank with your feet elevated on a small Swiss Ball. Even just standing on one leg while you move the other leg around is a good place to start.

5. Laughter

Do you know how beneficial laughter is to your health - both physical and mental. It is a great way to relieve stress and a good, uncontrollable laughing fit can burn a few extra calories and really give your abs a great workout. Try to find time each day to laugh - either with others or by yourself. Recall a funny memory or just engage those laughter muscles and let yourself go. Everyone needs a good laugh every day - you'll feel so much better for it!
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