Tips for Living a More Active Lifestyle

 

Many people want to start living an active lifestyle but struggle to actually make the change. When you are living a busy life, working and looking after your family, it can be hard to find the time to be more active, but it doesn’t have to be. The list below outlines some of the best tips for anyone who is looking to live a more active lifestyle.

 

1. Ditch the ‘All or Nothing’ Mindset

 

When it comes to becoming more healthy, many people automatically take an all or nothing approach, believing that you either have to exercise hard or it is not worth it. In reality, this mindset is helping nothing. Simply trying to squeeze in time, no matter whether it’s short, to be active can make all the difference.

 

Whether you are chasing your children in the park, dancing in the kitchen or doing a 10-minute dog walk, some activity is always better than nothing. Over time, small bursts of activity do add up, so don’t think that it has to be all or nothing.

 

2. Look After Old Injuries

 

Many people get out of the habit of being active as a result of an injury. It is very important that you visit a sports injury doctor before you take up your new active lifestyle, to ensure you are not inadvertently making an old injury worse.

 

3. Find Activities You Enjoy

 

Being active shouldn’t be a form of punishment; it should be something fun that you can look forward to, that helps you to destress and let off steam. Finding an activity that you enjoy can make all the difference, as it increases the likelihood that you will continue with these healthy changes long term.

 

Whether you enjoy taking dancing classes, playing active computer games or going for a bike ride, finding a healthy activity you enjoy is critical for long-term success.

 

4. Set Yourself Goals

 

Setting yourself goals can be an effective way of motivating yourself to maintain a healthy lifestyle. There are many ways that you could set yourself goals to motivate you. You could aim to be active a certain number of days every week, you could aim to lose weight or even just spend time outside.

 

5. Make it Easy

 

No matter how good your intentions might be, if your activity of choice is not convenient then you will never be able to perform at your best. You should choose an activity that is easy and convenient, so rather than having to muster the double motivation of getting up and driving to the gym before working out, all you have to do is go downstairs.

 

6. Make it Social

 

Being social while being active is a great way to work out without realizing how much energy and effort you are using. You don’t have to even go to the gym with your friends, but simply choosing more active meetups can make a difference. For example, instead of meeting up with your friends and having a coffee or going for a meal, you could go for a walk around the local park.