If you’re a typical family caregiver, you know how important exercise is for your loved one’s health. It’s equally important for yours, too. Some people think that going to the gym is the best way to get some solid workouts in, but who has time for that when you’re so busy?

Wear a Fitness Tracker

Fitness trackers are all the rage lately and it’s because they’re incredibly motivating to wear. Many of them have features that give you a vibrating nudge if you’ve been “inactive” for too long. You are able to track your activity levels, usually on a smartphone app, and you can also set goals for yourself. Many fitness trackers also allow you to “race” your friends or engage in other types of mild competition to help you get more active.

Make Household Tasks Exercise

Household tasks are already a form of exercise, but you can mindfully make them even more of an exercise routine. Try doing lunges when you vacuum, for example, or try doing calf lifts while you’re washing dishes. Gardening and other yard work is already pretty active, but you might include a walk or two around your yard to warm up and cool down, too. Get creative.

Add Steps to Your Day

You’ve probably already heard that you should park a little farther away from the door and take the stairs instead of the elevator. These are great ideas, but you can probably figure out other ways to add steps to your day. You might be able to do things like stand up or walk every time you have to make a phone call, for example. Anything that allows you to add a little more movement can help you more than you realize.

Choose More Activities that Involve Moving

When you’re looking for activities to have fun with your loved one or your other family members, look for activities that involve moving around more. Take a hike at a local park or go out to pick berries or fruit when they’re in season. Whatever you do doesn’t have to involve being overly active, but if you’re up and moving, it counts as more activity.

If you’ve lived a fairly sedentary lifestyle and you’re looking to change that, be sure to talk with your doctor before you ramp up your exercise plans.

If you or an aging loved one are considering caregivers in Cinco Ranch, TX, please call the caring staff at At Your Side Home Care. We will answer all of your senior care questions. Call today: (832) 271-1600.

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Donna Wrabel, LMSW

Co-Owner at At Your Side Home Care

For most of us, the word "home" evokes warm feelings of comfort, security and well-being. For older adults, home also means holding tight to cherished memories and maintaining self-esteem and independence. When illness, injury or age make life a little more challenging, remaining at home in a comfortable, familiar environment encourages recovery and enhances the quality of life. Home can be defined as a private residence, an independent or assisted living facility or even a short term stay in the hospital, we recognize the additional benefits provided by a personal, professional assistant.

Our Certified Nurse Aides, 24-Hour Live-in Assistants and Home Health Aides are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We also provide the security and confidence of 24-hour Telephone Assistance, so fast, reliable help is always available when it's needed. To learn more about our homecare services see our homecare services page.

Different people need different levels of homecare. To meet the requirements of our clients, At Your Side Homecare maintains consistent staffing levels of caring professionals. Homecare service is available for as little as a few hours a week, or as many as 24 hours a day, seven days a week

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