Imagine being able to increase your fitness and mobility while decreasing age-related decline and weight gain without adding hours to your workout. This is where NEAT (Non-Exercise Thermogenesis) comes in. NEAT refers to the energy burned during daily activities that aren’t sleeping, eating or exercise. Activities like walking, standing, climbing stairs, lifting objects, cleaning or even fidgeting, all fall under NEAT.
Studies show that NEAT can help maintain weight, reduce body fat, and support overall physical activity and mobility. It plays a crucial role in regulating our internal neurochemical balance, helping to prevent stress-induced behaviors like overeating, drinking too much or consuming excessive salt and sugar. When our internal state is out of balance, we often turn to unhealthy habits for temporary relief, leading to long-term damage and additional stress.
NEAT helps maintain our internal equilibrium. making us more resilient to stress while improving our overall well-being.
NEAT can also help burn up to 2,000 extra calories per day, depending on individual factors such as age, sex, weight, and fitness level. Even seemingly minor activities, like fidgeting or standing, contribute to energy expenditure and can reduce the risks associated with a sedentary lifestyle. In fact, these small actions can significantly improve overall health and fitness.
Incorporating NEAT into your routine-through everyday movements like walking, cleaning or simply standing more- can lead to better health outcomes without the need for structured exercise. By embracing NEAT, you can maintain a healthy weight, improve mobility, and achieve better overall fitness, all while making your daily activities more efficient and enjoyable.
Darbee, n.d., Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis-What is it and How it Benefits Your Fitness