It appears that anything that gets you exercising is good for your wellness. So that includes errands -- according to the article, Turn Errands Into Exercise, by Andrew Leonard. (August 25, 2023 - New York Times) You may already practice what the author preaches. I know that I do -- especially in the last 3 years of raising a high energy and very friendly chocolate Labrador Retriever. Some take aways from the author and me include the following:
- Walk or run instead of driving
- Take your dog on errands with you – find out if places are dog friendly
- Use stairs whenever possible
- Alternate walking and running for three minute intervals by yourself, or with a human or pet companion—perfect for interval training. Consider the Apple Watch Timer App (or equivalent) and select the 3-minute repeating interval.
- Minimize sitting at home and stand more and move as much as possible.
- The author Andrew Leonard says consistent physical exercise is the goal
- Errands can become fun by merging them with wellness activities
- According to Leonard, positive motivation driven by accomplishment is most powerful for producing positive change
- Make it a game to produce exercise from errands—get an errand done and then take a walk from there -- even carrying some bags for optimizing the cardio results
- Be careful not to stress yourself with too much strain (i.e., amount you are carrying, how fast you are walking or running, getting lost, etc)
- See your primary care doctor if you are just starting to exercise
So start gradually and begin with a simple errand you can transform into fun and exercise. Think of this as a strategy to foster wellness while you are completing useful errands. Staying positive and praising your progress will be very helpful in creating new habits.
Enjoy your day!
Joe