Discover Ways to Lead a More Active Life!
How many reminders do you have every day that you don’t get enough physical activity? Running shoes are collecting dust in your closet. The yoga mat is curled up in the back of your car. You keep paying for the gym membership, but don’t actually use it. We know that sticking to a day-to-day workout routine can be difficult, but hey, no one ever said New Year’s is the only time you can make a commitment to improve your health.
Here is a list of tips that we have compiled that will help you grow stronger, healthier, and more active. These suggestions will give at least a little motivation to make good use of those yoga pants and fancy gym wear!
Sneak in some exercise
Yep, you read that right! This is your permission slip to be sneaky when it comes to exercise!
Oftentimes, physical therapists recommend small changes to a person’s routine in order to make the adjustments manageable.
Consider these changes to be “bite size chunks,” so that you don’t feel as if your entire routine has to revolve around working out.
Some changes to your routine that a physical therapist would approve of include:
- Take the dog on walks around the park or your neighborhood every day.
- Walk up and down the field while your children are playing sports.
- Park farther away from your destination and walk the extra distance.
- Shovel snow, rake leaves, and garden in your yard as the seasons change.
- Choose the stairs instead of the elevator.
- Exit the bus one stop early and walk the rest of the way to your destination.
Make healthier diet choices
No matter how much we deny it, everyone loves to spoil themselves with yummy snacks and treats!
The key is to balance those delicious foods with a well-rounded, healthy diet. Here are some tips to get things started:
- Choose healthy snacks. It’s a good thing to snack. Doing so keeps you at your best so that you can sustain your energy and stay positive. Choose carrots over cookies, and peanuts over pretzels.
- Eat your greens. Eating lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat dairy products is the key to a healthy diet. Try to stay away from consuming too much red meat! Beans, eggs and nuts are also great to add in to your daily intake. Keep the saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt and added sugars to a minimum.
- Avoid skipping meals. Providing yourself with consistent meals gives your mind and body then necessary fuel to help you become active and stay that way. It also helps you avoid your blood sugar dropping, which can lead to irritability, nervousness and a handful of other unpleasant issues.
Think positive!
We know you’ve probably heard it all before, but all that stuff about “mind over matter” really works!
According to the Mayo Clinic site, “Positive thinking doesn’t mean that you keep your head in the sand and ignore life’s less pleasant situations. Positive thinking just means that you approach unpleasantness in a more positive and productive way. You think the best is going to happen, not the worst.”
Your body “believes” what you think, so try to keep a healthy attitude and look for the best whenever possible. If you find that you are confused or stuck on how you can get yourself out of a negative direction, repeat the following mantra out loud: I have the power to create change.
It works because you do!
Finally find relief for that persistent pain
Chronic pain can put a big damper on anyone’s exercise routine. You might think that something so common would bring more people to physical therapy, but more than half of the country still suffers from some form of chronic pain that has gone untreated for years!
If you have discomfort or pain that is to blame for not having enough exercise in your everyday life, get yourself to a physical therapist ASAP. Physical therapy is a healthy, natural, and successful way to help relieve pain. It is way more constructive than turning to prescription medications or watching TV in bed all day. The greatest part is that the effects of physical therapy are long-lasting, and in many cases, lifelong!
Physical therapy can manipulate your bones and joints to reduce discomfort and pain. It can help with all forms of chronic musculoskeletal and neuropathic pain, from chronic migraines to fibromyalgia. A physical therapist will work with you to build an exercise and movement routine that decreases your discomfort and enhances both your range of motion and physical ability.
Physical therapy can also provide you with laser therapy, massage or microcurrent stimulation, ultrasound therapy, aquatic therapy, and more as needed. The list of ways in which a licensed physical therapist can get you up, exercising, and living life to the fullest is infinite!
Get started on improving your health and wellness today!
No matter what age you are or what your condition is, leading a healthier, happier, more involved life will improve your physical and mental health.
If you would like to help build a plan or alleviate pain, please contact our office to see how physical therapy can help you live a more active and healthier lifestyle!
