Everyday physical activity

Incorporating physical activity into your daily life – e.g. by walking, cycling, climbing stairs, doing housework and gardening – will improve your physical and mental health. As a general rule, it’s never too late to take the first step as any exercise is better than none and increases health and well-being whatever your age.

According to the latest physical activity recommendations for Switzerland, walking, normal, everyday cycling or climbing stairs count as medium-intensity activities and are health-enhancing. These activities accelerate breathing so that it is still possible to talk but not to sing. The body temperature rises, although there is normally no sweating. Moreover, the intensity of these activities depends on the individual, their fitness level for example. You can raise the intensity by increasing the speed and/or gradient. Working in the garden and repair work or shovelling snow are examples of medium-intensity activities.

Our new fact sheets show how easy it is to walk, climb stairs or cycle as part of your everyday routine and the many advantages this brings, not only for your own physical and mental health, but also for the environment.