Most of us now know the importance of regular activity to our psychological, emotional, and physical health. Making body movement a priority becomes even more important while quitting smoking. Not only can fitness be a health replacement for the time once spent smoking, but it also similarly releases the feel-good chemicals in the brain to help manage stress. Removing cigarettes from your daily routine without backfilling those spaces with substitutes leaves you vulnerable to relapse.
Walking is one of the easiest ways to be more active. All you need are some comfortable shoes and a plan. You can walk during work breaks, alone or with a coworker, walk to work, to a nearby park, walk the dog or push a stroller, walk with a friend after dinner, or walk up and down the stairs. If it’s raining out, you can even walk at the mall.
Integrated Fitness is sprinkling movement here and there throughout the day. Being busy is no excuse for not fitting in fitness. The CDC tells us that bursts as short as 10 minutes (chores like push mowing, raking, vacuuming or activity like dancing or brisk walking) are long enough to make an impact when added up over time.
Chores & Hobbies (Calories burned in 1 hour, or time specified)
Are you familiar with TINY HABITS? Tiny habits are baby steps, flossing 1 tooth … we adopt new habits with small, achievable goals and repeated practice.
Check out Dr. BJ Fogg, Behavior Scientist and Persuasive Tech lab Director at Stanford at TEDxFremont.
Fill in the Blank, using this format, “After I (existing habit), I will (new tiny behavior)."
What is one tiny habit you will commit to this week?
Some examples: