May 22, 2020 Whether you’re recovering from a broken bone, joint replacement, a sports-related injury, or dealing with arthritic pain, being active is important. Regular exercise strengthens bones, slows down the loss of muscle mass as you age, and reduces both muscle and joint pain. Staying active improves balance and mobility, too, all of which can help you with your unique orthopedic situation. Of course, it’s not always easy to get more active, but you don’t have to log an hour-long workout to reap the benefits. As your orthopedic specialists, we’ve put together a few easy tips you can follow to get more active each day to improve your orthopedic situation and your overall health. Tip #1 – Find Small Ways to Move More While logging 30-60 minutes of exercise is essential, finding small ways to move more in your day has a significant impact. Whether it’s taking a walk on your lunch break, parking farther away from the store, or getting up each hour for a quick walk around your workspace, it all helps. Tip #2 – Try a Standing Desk Most people spend far too much time sitting each day, and standing is a far healthier position. You’ll burn more calories when you stand, and it will improve your posture, too. A standing desk can even encourage more overall movement through your day, so try it out if you find that you’re sitting for eight hours every day. Tip #3 – Keep Up with Your Chores Even doing chores keeps you active. Doing your dishes, vacuuming your house, mopping the floors, and taking the trash out all have you up and active. Stop putting off the chores, and you’ll get more activity in your day, and you’ll feel like you accomplished a lot, too. Tip #4 – Make an Appointment for a Workout If getting in that workout is challenging, start treating it like an appointment. Write it down or put it on your virtual calendar. Don’t miss that appointment. Think of it as an appointment with yourself that you just can’t miss, and your body will thank you. Tip #5 – Ensure Workout Equipment is Visible If those free weights, your yoga mat, or other equipment are buried in a closet, you’re probably not going to dig them out and use them. Keep your workout equipment visible, and you’ll be more likely to grab it and use it. Then you can pull it out while you’re watching your favorite show or when you find a few free minutes to get in a short workout. Tip #6 – Get Tips from Your Orthopedic Specialists If you want to get more active to improve your orthopedic situation, get some tips from your orthopedic specialists. They are excellent resources and can offer you information on improving function, addressing any pain you might feel, or providing you with specific exercises catered to your unique needs. Regular activity is essential for your overall health, so contact your orthopedic specialists for some additional help that’ll get you moving again.