Americans commit half their waking time to sitting or other sedentary behaviors, and it’s causing a host of health problems ranging from back pain and weight gain to heart disease and even cancer. Research says that too much standing could be just as bad, and your daily run isn’t enough.
So, what’s the answer? The better path to wellness and a longer life, it turns out, is doing short bouts of activity throughout the day. And the morning is a great time to start.
Even if you’re a weekend warrior, experts recommend getting at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week—that’s 30 minutes for every work day. Unfortunately for those with desk jobs, long commutes, and families, finding extra time for exercise can be difficult.
The good news is that short bursts of exercise sprinkled throughout your day offer health benefits while keeping chronic disease at bay. If you’re willing and open, small changes to your morning routine can make passive activities active, without holding you up.
Do these multitasking exercises on dry, non-slip surfaces:
As you get comfortable with this activity, try variations such as fire hydrants (lifting your bent leg to the side). Depending on the size of your Water Flosser reservoir, this can add a minute or more of exercise to your day.
The Waterpik Sensonic® Professional Plus toothbrush features a 2-minute timer that signals every 30 seconds to switch areas in your mouth. It’s handy for pacing stationary exercises, especially wall sits:
As you walk around your bedroom and bathroom, squeeze in some lunges:
While you wait for the shower to warm up or the tub to fill, stand near your towel bar for pliés:
Changing old behaviors takes time, commitment, and a willingness to try new things. Adopting these multitasking moves is an easy way to add short bouts of activity to your day without adding to your busy schedule. Be sure to check with your doctor to make sure these exercises are safe for you, and then get moving!