One of the many downsides of this COVID-19 pandemic has been the decrease in our physical activity. A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine shows how staying home has dramatically lowered the number of steps we take every day.

Researchers used fitness tracker data from hundreds of thousands of users in 187 countries. Across the world, people took 6% fewer steps within 10 days of the pandemic being declared. By 30 days into the pandemic, people were taking 27% fewer steps.

Businesses, restaurants, and gyms have reopened in much of the country, but we’re still staying home far more than normal. Here are some simple ways to move more while staying home because of COVID-19:

  • Take a walk around the block or around your neighborhood.
  • Make all phone calls and send and read all text messages while standing and walking.
  • Try free online workout classes.
  • Run up and down the stairs, or do burpees or push-ups against the wall a few times a day.
  • And set an hourly alarm or reminder on your phone or watch to get up from your chair and move for a few minutes.