Movement is an essential component of a healthy lifestyle. However, incorporating movement into each day can be difficult when so much of our days revolve around sitting — we sit in our cars, at our desks, on the couch and beyond.

While sitting may be comfortable, excessive sitting can cause quite a bit of damage to our bodies. This damage makes us more prone to injuries, like low back pain, muscular imbalances and stiff joints, and diseases, such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease and depression.

Exercise is an important component of a healthy lifestyle, but did you know movement in general positively impacts your physical and mental health too? In fact, research shows that the more non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT) you do throughout the day, the healthier you become and the more calories you burn.

NEAT is any movement you do that is not part of a planned workout routine. It can include activities like the following:

  • Playing basketball with your kids
  • Gardening
  • Completing housework
  • Alternating between sitting and standing at work
  • Walking upstairs or downstairs
  • Walking your dog
  • Walking to someone’s desk instead of calling them
  • Parking farther away from your destination

You may have heard the recommendation of getting 10,000 steps per day. This goal was created as a tool to help individuals be more self-aware and intentional with their NEAT movements. Other great tools include smartphones, watches and devices that track your steps/activity or have apps that enable you to do so.

Setting a daily step goal can aid you in improving your health and wellness and creating healthy habits. If you’re motivated by competition, you can also involve your family, friends or coworkers to see who can reach the most steps in a day. This additional motivation might just encourage you to take the stairs rather than the elevator or to park farther away.

Learn how to use your smart device to set up a step challenge with friends, family or coworkers using the free Stridekick app. For additional health and wellness resources, visit the Slainte website.

We hope you continue to find NEAT ways to move each day!