Are you ready to start being more physically active, but aren’t sure where to begin? Why not try movement snacks?
“Movement snacks” or “micro workouts” are short bursts of movement scattered throughout the day that can make a real difference in how we feel and our overall health. Movement snacks can include a variety of exercises and activities such as stretching, walking, stair climbing, or a quick five-minute body weight workout.
Have a read of the below for our LiveLighter team’s tips:
Benefits of movement snacks
Breaking up our sitting time with short bursts of movement has loads of benefits! We can improve blood flow, decrease joint stiffness, increase energy levels, enhance focus, and promote overall wellbeing.
Eight ways to add a movement snack to your day
- Take the stairs
Next time you find yourself automatically heading to the elevator, think about taking the stairs instead. Try finding a steady pace as you go, to elevate your heart rate without breaking a sweat.
- Take a stretch break
Stretching can help you relax and feel good. So, take a quick five-minute break to have a stretch.
LiveLighter has some resources to help inspire you which can be done in any setting. Check them out here.
- Deskercises
Got a busy day planned at the desk and finding it hard to get away? Try to block out three minutes in your calendar to get your blood flowing. Use the LiveLighter three-minute workouts below.
- Brew break
If you have a regular tea or coffee break, try doing some movements while the kettle boils. Calf raises, twisted side bends and shoulder rolls are a few options – LiveLighter even has a poster you can hang with some suggestions!
- The LiveLighter workout builder
Build strength, flexibility and fitness with our free video workout builder. My Workout Builder allows you to customise a workout that suits you. You can select your duration, challenge level, focus area and equipment to use, making it perfect to do anywhere and anytime you can.
- Daily household chores
You read that right! Vacuuming, sweeping, grocery shopping and even taking the bins out can all count towards your daily movement. And with a little modification, light tasks like washing dishes and folding laundry can add to your movement time; exaggerate your movements, dance or do it on tippy toes!
- Stepping stones
Get ready to feel like a kid again! With this movement snack we encourage you to look down and identify a patten on the ground (e.g. a specific colour in a brick design or a line in the pavement) and try to walk or ‘step’ in that pattern. This will challenge your coordination, agility and balance.
- Cozy lounge room stretch
Picture this: you are in your lounge room in your favourite PJs, ready to watch the latest episode. Why not use this time to roll out your yoga mat and stretch? Static stretches are the best for this time of night. Static stretches involve holding the stretch in a comfortable position for anywhere between 10 to 30 seconds.
There are so many different ways we can move our bodies – we hope movement snacks work for you! To help you rediscover the joy of movement, LiveLighter have developed a number of different physical activity resources to suit everybody.
Check out all the resources and more blog posts in the LiveLighter Being Active hub.