Don’t be a couch potato! Take the couch potato pledge during In-Motion Week (October 4th -10th) “I promise, to never again be a couch potato! And I promise from here on in, that I will live my life in motion! Physical activity – – do it for life!”
- Add physical activity to routine tasks – dance while brushing your teeth, pace while talking on the phone, preparing lunches, or making dinner.
- Take frequent standing or stretching breaks throughout the day, including when watching TV or during work meetings.
- Get outside with the entire family…including the dog!
- Stand up while taking a phone call or doing laundry.
- Park further away from your workplace, the store etc. and walk.
- If bringing your children to a sport/rec activity utilize walking space for the duration of their activity so you can move too!
- Take the stairs instead of the escalator or elevator.
- Use a shopping basket instead of a cart. (it becomes quite the workout)
- Switch up the way you host work meetings. Consider standing during meetings, or pitch the idea to have a walking meeting somewhere inside or outside of your workplace. Walking has a beneficial effect on creative thinking by pumping more blood and oxygen around your body, including your brain. Don’t forget to follow provincial guidelines for the COViD-19 pandemic by wearing a mask and to a maintain physical distance of 6ft with colleagues.
- Stretch out the stress – try chair exercises at work.
- Free Friday – it’s the start of the weekend; take the challenge to put all electronics down for the evening. Take a walk in the evening to look at the stars.
