What Does "Put A Pep In Your Step" Mean? 8 Ways to Add Energy to Your Day

What Does "Put A Pep In Your Step" Mean?

The idiomatic phrase "put a pep in your step" means to add energy, enthusiasm, and liveliness to the way you do something. When you "put a pep in your step," you do something with vigor, eagerness, and zest.

This common saying originated in the early 20th century. The word "pep" began being used in the 1920s to mean "energy" or "spirit." So to "put a pep in your step" literally means to walk in an energetic, spirited manner.

The phrase is often used as a way to motivate someone to approach a task with excitement and determination. For example, you might say, "Come on, put a pep in your step! Let's get this job done!" It's a way of telling someone to liven up their attitude and efforts.

How to Put a Pep in Your Step

There are many ways you can put a pep in your step in your daily life:

• Listen to upbeat, energetic music to get yourself pumped up before starting a task
• Have a cup of coffee or tea to perk yourself up
• Do some light exercise like jumping jacks or jogging in place to get your blood flowing
• Take a few deep breaths and visualize yourself having energy and enthusiasm
• Give yourself positive affirmations like "I've got this!" to boost your confidence
• Chat with a cheerful friend or watch a funny video for a quick mood boost
• Set exciting goals related to the task to feel motivated and purposeful
• Break large tasks into smaller pieces so they feel more manageable

When to Use "Put a Pep in Your Step"

Here are some examples of when you can use the phrase "put a pep in your step":

• When encouraging someone who is feeling unmotivated, bored, or apathetic
• When you need to psych yourself up before a challenging task
• When you want to liven up a dull, monotonous activity
• When you need an energy boost to get through the last stretch of a long day
• When you want to infuse more passion and joy into your normal routine
• When you need to shake off fatigue, stress, or negativity before a big event

Synonyms for "Put a Pep in Your Step"

Here are some synonymous phrases that you can use in place of "put a pep in your step":

• Add some spring to your step
• Liven up your pace
• Put some skip in your step
• Walk with purpose
• Strut your stuff
• Get your mojo going
• Get fired up
• Put some hustle in your bustle
• Add vigor to your gait

8 Ways to Sit Less and Move More Each Day

Sitting for long periods of time has been shown to have detrimental health effects. However, incorporating more movement and less sitting into your daily routine can significantly benefit your health and well-being. Here are 8 simple ways to sit less and move more each day:

1. Take Regular Standing or Walking Breaks

If you work at a desk, set a reminder to take a 5-minute standing or walking break every 30-60 minutes. Moving around helps reduce muscle tension, boosts energy levels, and counteracts the negative effects of sitting for too long.

2. Hold Walking Meetings

When possible, conduct meetings and one-on-ones with colleagues while walking around the office or outside. This allows you to squeeze in extra steps and gives your brain a change of scenery.

3. Prioritize Low-Sitting Activities

Look for opportunities to spend time upright vs. seated, like listening to podcasts while cooking rather than sitting on the couch. Limit passive sitting activities like TV watching and shift to more active hobbies.

4. Set Up Your Workstation for Standing

Invest in a standing desk attachment or standing work station so you can alternate between sitting and standing throughout the workday. Standing while working burns more calories and strengthens muscles.

5. Take the Stairs

Skip the elevator or escalator and take the stairs whenever you have the opportunity. Climbing stairs engages your muscles, increases your heart rate, and counts toward your daily exercise tally.

6. Schedule Exercise Into Your Day

Block off time for exercise like a lunchtime walk or an after-work visit to the gym. Treat it like any other important meeting. Planning ahead helps ensure you fit it into your busy day.

7. Set Active Reminders

Drink more water by keeping your water bottle across the room from your desk. Set reminders to get up every hour or to do 10 squats on the hour. Cue movement through your environment.

8. Limit Sedentary Transit

Swap driving for active transit options like walking, biking, or public transportation as much as possible. The extra activity and reduced sitting time pays off in health benefits.

Making small, manageable changes to sit less and move more builds over time to create big benefits. Creatively inserting more activity into your everyday routine helps counteract the harmful effects of excessive sitting while also boosting your energy, productivity, and wellbeing.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.