How to Incorporate Walking into Your Daily Routine

By Alexis Mills

If you're around anyone who has even a hint of health-mindedness, you've probably heard about the importance of 10,000 steps. That's the magic number deemed by the health community to be the standard for good health today. Walk 10,000 steps every day, the theory goes, and you'll be healthy. 

Whether the magic number is 10,000 or 8,553 steps, the bottom line is that movement is healthy, and walking is healthy. You can't hurt your health by getting in as many steps as you can. 

So what can you do to increase the number of steps you make every day toward better health?

Strategic Planning

Using your head a little can help you add steps to your day.

• Keep walking shoes in your car - This will keep you prepared at any time to take a quick walk or hike. Whether it be after work before you go home, if you get to an appointment early, or just drive by a place you want to explore, having shoes in your car make it much easier to not have excuses for walking whenever you get the chance.
• Invite someone on a walk - Walking with friends or loved ones is a perfect way to burn calories and also bond with people you care about. Whether that person is active now or not, it could influence them to also walk more.
• Squeeze in walks at lunch or breaks at work - Whenever you have some free time in your day, a walk around the block can actually make you more productive and creative when you are working. Plus, you are serving your body while you are doing this!
• Invest in an activity tracking device - Getting a simple pedometer or a high-tech activity device can motivate you and give you an accurate system to keep on top of your physical activity. Some of these devices will even buzz if you have been sitting for too long and alerting you that it is time to move a little. No couch potatoes with those devices.
• Park a little farther than usual - Parking farther away in the parking lot will force you to get in extra steps and to be more active. Unless you are in a city with things within walking distance, driving is more a part of our lives than walking. Making a little extra effort to walk, even when you are driving, will help with time.
• Start a walking challenge - Set up daily or weekly goals to challenge yourself to walk more. This can keep you motivated and give you a range of how close you are to achieving your goals.

Hopefully some of these tips can work in your life and you can start to walk more on a regular basis. Walking is healthy, and it's a lot less taxing than running.

To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Casa Grande, Ariz.