Get Fit While You Shop! Tips to De-Stress and Shape Up

Holiday shopping can take a lot out of us — the rushing around, searching for gifts and then waiting in long times takes up a lot of time and energy. And, can be stressful! So, how about maximizing your shopping experiences to get stronger and relieve stress?

These tips will help burn more calories, create stronger muscles and will remove tension while shopping.

1. When standing in long lines, be productive and focus on standing evenly on both feet. Standing equally on both feet engages your larger muscles such as your glutes and hips along with your core and improves your balance. Larger muscles burn more calories than smaller ones. So using them more often is a crucial part of being fit.

2. Squat when looking at items on low shelves versus bending at your waist. Strengthen your legs and save your back. It may not seem like much, but doing this through out your shopping experience can add up to a full leg workout.

3. Park further away at the stores! Stand tall, relax your shoulders and walk with a purpose!! Burn some calories while saving the stress of looking for a closer spot.

4. If shopping online and using a laptop, put your laptop on a high surface and stand while browsing. Standing also engages larger muscles in your body so that you can burn more calories. If you’re really motivated, you can can lift one leg to the side and alternate while waiting for your orders to process!

5. If fellow shoppers are driving you crazy remember… exhale!! People hold their breath when they are tense or begin shallow breathing. If you notice that your neck and shoulders are tight, you most likely fit into this category. Breathing well helps your metabolism by efficiently using and increasing the oxygen that go to your cells. When tension is high, the simplest and most beneficial thing you can do for your body is to remember to breathe!