How Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis – NEAT Exercise – Can Benefit Your Health
Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis or NEAT is a component of your Total Daily Energy Expenditure, 10-15% of it in fact. So what exactly is NEAT exercise and why does it even matter?
What is NEAT Exercise?
NEAT is essentially the energy we use to do everything except sleep, eat and perform sport-like exercise. It ranges from the energy expended walking to work, typing, performing jobs around the garden and even trivial movements throughout the day. It’s the cumulative effect of these activities that establish your overall energy expenditure. NEAT exercise is a crucial component that establishes optimal body composition and health.
In comparison, planned exercise is relatively insignificant to our total energy expenditure. This is not to say that you should stop attending the gym, that is great for you however increasing your NEAT can have a positive impact on your health as well!
Benefits of Increasing Your NEAT Exercise
Studies have regularly shown NEAT to be the component of daily energy expenditure responsible for maintaining or losing weight and improving health. This is great news for those people who don’t enjoy doing organised activities but could benefit from being more active.
Maintaining an active lifestyle as a way to increase your NEAT exercise can help with body composition, cardiovascular health, muscle endurance, insulin sensitivity, improved blood pressure as well as positively influencing attitudes around healthy lifestyle choices.
Ways to Increase Your NEAT
Creating an environment that allows for higher levels of activity appears to be the most effective way to increase your daily NEAT. Small changes that can increase your NEAT exercise include:
- Use a standing desk
- Carry a stress ball
- Walk / bike to work
- Park further away
- Take the stairs
- Take walking meetings
As we head into the Christmas and new year period where people inevitably make goals around their health for the coming year, consider ways to increase your NEAT expenditure and daily low-level activity. This can have as much benefit as a new training routine at the gym but is hopefully more sustainable over the long term.
Contact Dr Miki for More Health and Lifestyle Tips
If you would like any help on how to stay more active or have lifestyle questions, I would love to help. Feel free to get in touch with Dr Miki chiropractor today.
