More than 2.5 million people call the Twin Cities metropolitan area their home, and living in a major urban center can present some unique challenges and opportunities for our health. If you’re smart about how you approach life in a big city, we’re confident that you can take advantage of what your city has to offer and become healthier for it. Below, we take a closer look at five easy ways you can improve your health if you live in the Twin Cities.
Improving Your Health In The City
Become a healthier version of yourself by taking advantage of some of the unique opportunities the Twin Cities has to offer. Here’s a look at five ways to adjust your daily schedule to improve your overall health and fitness.
- Bike Or Walk To Work – Navigating the Twin Cities by vehicle can be a nightmare, especially during rush hour, but you can avoid the bumper to bumper traffic and become healthier by biking or walking to work. You may need to leave a little earlier than normal depending on where you work, but the Twin Cities consistently ranks as one of the most cyclist-friendly cities in the US, so odds are there are bike routes that can get you where you need to go with ease. Biking or walking will also inherently burn calories and can help you shed some weight, which is great for your health.
- Visit One New Place A Week – There are so many things to do in the Twin Cities or just outside the metro area, so take advantage of everything the area has to offer. Strive to do one new active activity each week. Walk a trail along the Mississippi River, bike to a new coffee shop with a friend, or rent a canoe and head out on one of the many lakes around the city. Challenge yourself to do something new each week.
- Find Some Green – The Twin Cities has a lot more green space than other cities that are home to millions of people, and this ability to immerse yourself in nature can be great for your health. There are significant physical and mental health benefits to getting out in nature, and you can do that without trying too hard in the Twin Cities. Head to one of the many parks or lakes in the area and just spend some time decompressing from the hustle and bustle that we can sometimes get caught up with in the big city.
- PT At Your Fingertips – Another great thing about living in a big city is that you don’t have to travel far to have access to great physical therapists. Since you don’t need a physician referral to connect with a physical therapist if you suffer an injury or develop a new pain, you can oftentimes find a helpful therapist in your own backyard. We have two easy-to-access clinics, one in the downtown area of Minneapolis and another in Edina, so you won’t need to travel far to sync up with a PT who can help you overcome any physical challenges you’re experiencing.
- Food Variety – While the big city does mean that you may have easier access to fast food, it also means that you have a vast array of healthy options that you can pursue. The Twin Cities has a great food culture and a number of health-focused restaurants where you can find a wonderful meal that won’t hurt your wallet or your waistline. When you consider all the health-oriented grocery stores and the access to fresh fruits and vegetables at seasonal farmer’s markets, it’s easy to find some foods you love that are also great for your health.
For more tips on improving your health while you’re living in a big city, or to talk to a physical therapist about some of the limitations or issues you’re experiencing, reach out to the team at OrthoRehab Specialists today at (612) 339-2041.
PT of Costa Rican National Soccer Team for 2007 World Cup in Victoria, CAN. Clinical Instructor for University of Minnesota Doctor of Physical Therapy Affiliations
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