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Five "invisible exercises" that can lengthen your life
One
change that will pay off seven-fold. That will make the biggest
difference in your health—and in your life. Exercise.
Exercise remains the most important thing you can do for yourself. It beats regular trips to the doctor. It beats medicines and supplements. It even edges out diet—which is amazing, considering everything starts with our fuel.
Exercise is the one true wonder drug that exists. No matter what ails you, exercise will almost certainly help.
Have a cold? Regular exercise boosts your immune system.
Carrying more weight than you’d like? Nothing burns calories like exercise.
Want to live longer? One recent study found that every minute you spend exercising adds seven minutes to your life.
Exercise might be the most important thing you can do for your health. But, I know, it’s also the most difficult habit to sustain.
Sure—every January, gym memberships surge, and new promises to lose this winter’s weight are uttered.
But very few people adhere to these promises. At least not long enough to make a difference.
That’s why I feel like I need to harp on exercise every few months or so. We all need the reminder—myself included.
But beyond that—it’s unfair to expect you to do what few other people find possible.
Even if we want to, sometimes our schedule simply doesn’t allow it.
So today, I want to provide you an easy compromise. What I sometimes call invisible exercise.
It will take almost no time out of your day. It can be integrated right into your daily routine with little more than the occasional nudge.
It won’t require you to alter your lifestyle at all. But, if you practice the following five “invisible exercises” regularly, I guarantee, your life will improve.
Exercise remains the most important thing you can do for yourself. It beats regular trips to the doctor. It beats medicines and supplements. It even edges out diet—which is amazing, considering everything starts with our fuel.
Exercise is the one true wonder drug that exists. No matter what ails you, exercise will almost certainly help.
Have a cold? Regular exercise boosts your immune system.
Carrying more weight than you’d like? Nothing burns calories like exercise.
Want to live longer? One recent study found that every minute you spend exercising adds seven minutes to your life.
Exercise might be the most important thing you can do for your health. But, I know, it’s also the most difficult habit to sustain.
Sure—every January, gym memberships surge, and new promises to lose this winter’s weight are uttered.
But very few people adhere to these promises. At least not long enough to make a difference.
That’s why I feel like I need to harp on exercise every few months or so. We all need the reminder—myself included.
But beyond that—it’s unfair to expect you to do what few other people find possible.
Even if we want to, sometimes our schedule simply doesn’t allow it.
So today, I want to provide you an easy compromise. What I sometimes call invisible exercise.
It will take almost no time out of your day. It can be integrated right into your daily routine with little more than the occasional nudge.
It won’t require you to alter your lifestyle at all. But, if you practice the following five “invisible exercises” regularly, I guarantee, your life will improve.
1. Stand Whenever Possible.
West
Point is one of the strictest places on earth. It requires enormous
attention, rigid adherence to rules, and unending discipline.
But there’s one exception. If you feel antsy in a lecture, you don’t have to ask permission—you can simply stand behind your desk.
That’s how important it is to stand now and again. Our army knows it, and behaves accordingly. So should you.
But there’s one exception. If you feel antsy in a lecture, you don’t have to ask permission—you can simply stand behind your desk.
That’s how important it is to stand now and again. Our army knows it, and behaves accordingly. So should you.
2. Hold Walking Meetings.
Did
you know most of history’s greatest thinkers did most of their
greatest thinking while walking? That includes Isaac Newton, who
wasn’t bonked by an apple, but was walking in his garden when one
fell nearby.
Walking helps get the creative juices flowing. Indeed, a recent Stanford study found we are 60% more creative when we walk.
Walking is so good for the mind, that we can afford to view the invisible exercise that comes with it as a happy side benefit.
Walking helps get the creative juices flowing. Indeed, a recent Stanford study found we are 60% more creative when we walk.
Walking is so good for the mind, that we can afford to view the invisible exercise that comes with it as a happy side benefit.
3. Park In The Shade.
Forget
the closest parking spot. That doesn’t help you move much.
But sometimes the farthest can feel a bit lonely.
Try aiming for the shade. During the hot months, this will help keep your car cool and comfortable.
But since spots shaded by trees won’t often be next to the front doors of shops or restaurants, you can get a little extra invisible exercise in at the same time.
But sometimes the farthest can feel a bit lonely.
Try aiming for the shade. During the hot months, this will help keep your car cool and comfortable.
But since spots shaded by trees won’t often be next to the front doors of shops or restaurants, you can get a little extra invisible exercise in at the same time.
4. Skip The Car.
I
know—this is America, home of the highway and the open road.
But most of us have at least a shop or two that are walking distance from home or work. Or if not walking distance, then biking distance.
Whenever you use that shop—or, hopefully, shops—walk there instead of driving.
You’ll get a better feel for your own neighborhoods. You’ll end up more connected to your community. And you’ll get plenty of invisible exercise—especially if your shopping includes a heavy item or two.
But most of us have at least a shop or two that are walking distance from home or work. Or if not walking distance, then biking distance.
Whenever you use that shop—or, hopefully, shops—walk there instead of driving.
You’ll get a better feel for your own neighborhoods. You’ll end up more connected to your community. And you’ll get plenty of invisible exercise—especially if your shopping includes a heavy item or two.
5. Stairs Every Time.
Most
of us live, or work, in buildings with stairs. Use them.
Unless you’re in a skyscraper, pretend the elevator doesn’t exist. And if you are in a skyscraper, take a break during the day to enjoy a little time on the stairs.
Remember—this sort of invisible exercise will actually increase your creativity. It’s a great way to work on a thorny problem, or keep your creative juices flowing while on a conference call.
It’s also a wonderful way to introduce some low-impact, low-stress movement into your day.
At first, finding places to insert invisible exercise into your day may feel strange. But after a short time, it will become habit.
Unless you’re in a skyscraper, pretend the elevator doesn’t exist. And if you are in a skyscraper, take a break during the day to enjoy a little time on the stairs.
Remember—this sort of invisible exercise will actually increase your creativity. It’s a great way to work on a thorny problem, or keep your creative juices flowing while on a conference call.
It’s also a wonderful way to introduce some low-impact, low-stress movement into your day.
At first, finding places to insert invisible exercise into your day may feel strange. But after a short time, it will become habit.
And
this is one habit that can add years to your life. A little
unfamiliarity in the beginning will be well worth it in the end.
by Leigh
Erin Connealy, M.D.
REFERENCES
NPR,
“Every Minute Of Exercise Could Lengthen Your Life Seven Minutes”,
Carey Goldberg, March 15 2013 http://commonhealth.wbur.org/2013/03/minutes-exercise-longer-life
Greatist,
“13 Unexpected Ways to Fit Cardio Into Your Routine”, Emily
Shoemaker, November 8
2013 http://greatist.com/fitness/unexpected-ways-cardio-exercise
Stanford,
“Stanford study finds walking improves creativity”, May Wong,
April 24
2014 http://news.stanford.edu/news/2014/april/walking-vs-sitting-042414.html
