Why walking, jogging, and climbing stairs are the best forms of exercise, according to fitness professionals

Sitting for extended periods of time raises the risk of a number of health problems, including weight gain, weakened muscles, and poor blood circulation. They act as catalysts for chronic illnesses like diabetes, heart disease, and even mental health issues like sadness and anxiety.

How do you manage deadlines, numerous PPTs, endless Zoom sessions, and the demands of your family and job? If you're like most people, you undoubtedly spend a lot of time in front of a computer before unwinding on a soft couch. It's just the way things are now; it's not your fault. But, did you know that excessive sitting might be bad for your health?

You can't stop any of the aforementioned, so it's time to live by the simple but effective maxim, "Move more, sit less." for your own health's sake.

While everyone is aware of the numerous health advantages of walking, jogging, or climbing stairs, the trick is to put this knowledge into practise. Why is this such a big deal? Because a sedentary lifestyle and long periods of uninterrupted sitting are doing more harm to your body than you can possibly conceive.

Problems caused by prolonged sitting:

Several studies have demonstrated that spending extended periods of time sitting increases the risk of a number of health problems, including the dreaded trinity of weight gain, weakened muscles, and poor blood circulation. They act as catalysts for chronic illnesses like diabetes, heart disease, and even mental health issues like sadness and anxiety.

It's never too late to change course, which is wonderful news. It's time to put your worries aside and begin improving your health. We explain how.

Make walking a daily habit: It's time to get started because a simple action like walking can greatly enhance your health. Walking is a fantastic strategy to enhance physical activity, according to doctors. A 30-minute daily brisk walk can help reduce the risk of heart disease, lower blood pressure, and improve mental health. It also helps to strengthen muscles, improve joint health, and manage weight. Choose your favorite Spotify music, download a step-counting app, or even better, challenge your friends and family to a step challenge and start walking today.

Regular jogging can lower the risk of coronary artery disease, enhance circulation, and boost well-being. (Image courtesy of Canva.)

Begin jogging for a healthy heart: While sitting for lengthy periods of time creates health problems, jogging provides heart health benefits by activating your cardiovascular system, improving cardiac efficiency, and expanding lung capacity. Jogging on a regular basis can lower the risk of coronary artery disease, enhance circulation, and increase overall well-being. According to research, even brief, modest jogs can result in noticeable health benefits. So, the next time you take a vacation from your computer, go for a jog. Remember that breaks are necessary, but jogging during those breaks is the best option.

Climbing stairs is good for your health since it burns calories, strengthens your leg muscles, and improves your cardiovascular fitness. (Image courtesy of Canva)

What if you don't like going to the gym? Try stair climbing for a full-body exercise. Stair climbing can help you get a full-body workout. It also offers a number of health benefits: It burns calories while simultaneously strengthening your leg muscles and improving your cardiovascular fitness. If you want to tone your lower body and burn calories, stair climbing is an excellent option. So, the next time you're in a mall or a theater, skip the elevator or lift and instead take the stairs.

Every step you take to improve your health, whether it's a brisk walk during your lunch break, a jog in the park, or using the stairs instead of the elevator, counts. Here are a few recommendations to get you moving more:

Ditch the desk: Instead of spending your lunch break tied to your desk, pack a healthy lunch and go for a midday walk. Take a leisurely walk around your workplace or explore the neighboring park. It's not just a food break; it's a break from sitting.

Leave the conference room: For walking meetings, leave the boring meeting room behind. These meetings not only increase productivity but also revitalize the mind and body. Walking and talking at the same time is a beneficial approach to engage with your colleagues while also improving your health.

When at all possible, ditch the car: If your workplace is within walking distance, avoid the steering wheel and rely on your two feet. Walking to work not only adds exercise to your day but also lowers your carbon footprint. It benefits both your health and the environment. If you must drive, consider parking your car further away; this simple change will encourage you to walk more.

One step at a time: Always take the stairs. Take stairway breaks during your workday if your office is in a nice multi-story building. Climbing the stairs for a few minutes during breaks has a number of health benefits.

Track your progress: If technology can make you sit still, it can also help you exercise more. We're discussing fitness tracking applications. These apps track your steps, track your progress, and turn your everyday routine into an exciting adventure. Set attainable daily step targets and observe how tracking your progress becomes an enjoyable way to incorporate walking into your daily life.