How to Get Moving Without Even Thinking About It

The world’s longest-lived people don’t run marathons or join gyms. They live in environments that constantly nudge them to move without thinking about it. They live in places where they can walk to the store, to their friend's house or places of worship. Their houses have stairs. They have gardens in their yards. Instead of buying another gym membership, consider building low-intensity activities you already enjoy into your daily routine. 

•    Move for the fun of it! Build activity into your life by doing what you love. Ride your bike to work. Walk your dog. Play basketball with your kids. Dance around your kitchen (we won't tell!).

•    Bike to work. Participate in National Bike to Work Day on May 20! 

•    Inconvenience yourself (Just a Little). Take the stairs at work. Park at the far end of the parking lot and use a Blue Zones Project Parking Space. Get up to change the TV channel instead of using the remote. 

•    Start walking. Walking is easy to do and free for everyone. It also invites company, so ask your signifcant other, kids or friends to join you. Make it fun by having each person tell one fun thing that happened during their day and one new thing they learned.

•    Strengthen your social connections. Join a Potluck or host a shopping excursion with your closest gal pals. You can burn serious calories with a little retail therapy!

•    Plant a garden. Whether herbs, vegetables or flowers, gardening is a great way to be physically active and can even helps reduce stress. Improve flexibility, strength, endurance and balance. You might even get your daily dose of Vitamin D from being outdoors!

Every move you make moves you closer to well-being! Try 10 easy ways to move more. Find what you enjoy and do it! The more you like an activity, the more likely you'll be to continue doing it well into your golden years.