The risk of being sedentary increases with age. Follow along for 6 ways to build physical activity into your normal routine.

1. Take the stairs when you can: When possible, skip the elevator and get those steps in. At home, limit yourself to carrying one item to increase the number of flights climbed each day. Climbing a flight of stairs is the perfect, functional exercise and helps get your heart rate elevated- two key components of physical health for older adults.

2. Park and walk: Instead of circling for the closest parking spot, opt for one further away to increase your number of steps.

3. Daily chores: Spread out your chores for the week and aim to complete at least one every day. Changing laundry, cleaning the floors, or any other light chore can count as physical activity.

4. Take a walk: Walking is the most common and accessible form of physical activity for older adults. If having trouble finding the motivation to set out for a walk, consider taking a lap around the block when you get home before you step inside. Or try taking walk after each meal- combining it with an everyday activity can help make walking part of your daily routine.

5. Use commercial breaks for activity: Getting up and moving during each break can add up to 10-15 minutes of activity per hour. Some common examples include doing standing exercises, repeated sit to stands, or walking around the house.

6. Go out into the community: When possible, run your own errands. Just like your household chores, try to spread your errands out across the week to increase the amount of time spent out of the house. Did you know the average grocery trip is 41 minutes? Errands like this are the perfect way to increase your daily steps.

Older adults are at a higher risk for sedentary behaviors and often don’t engage in traditional forms of exercise. These tips can help set the foundation for an active lifestyle and make physical activity part of a normal, healthy routine.