How to Keep Moving When Temps Soar!
June 16, 2026
by Morayma MaKay
Writer / Blogger & Content Creator
Adulthood Rewired
Biography: Morayma Makay is a fashion model, mother, and writer. She has
dedicated the last 20 years to working in the fashion and health fields as
both a researcher and content creator.
“Support your wellness.”
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Around this time every year, the typical fitness advice of “getting in more steps” starts sounding a little disconnected from reality. “Just get outside and take a walk!”…great in theory, but what about those of us who live in triple digit heat? When it’s 105 degrees by 10 a.m., the humidity feels like a wet blanket, or the pavement is hot enough to make you question every life choice that brought you outdoors….how on earth are you expected to stay optimally active?
When It’s Too Hot for Active Living
While walking remains one of the simplest and most accessible forms of exercise for most of us, summer can make it genuinely difficult in many parts of the country…so if you’ve found yourself moving less during the hotter months, you’re definitely not alone! The good news is you can still stay active without attempting to power through dangerous temperatures or forcing yourself into long outdoor workouts. Sometimes it’s just a matter of getting a little creative.
One of the easiest adjustments is shifting your timing. Early mornings and evenings often provide a much more comfortable window for outdoor activity, and even a 15- or 20-minute walk before the heat settles in can feel completely different from attempting the same walk in the middle of the sauna-like afternoon. That said, not everyone wants to wake up at dawn, and evening schedules can get busy…that’s where indoor movement starts to become your best friend.
Walk It Out…Indoors.
Many people overlook how much walking can actually happen indoors in places like shopping centers, large grocery or home improvement stores, museums, indoor tracks, and community centers…all of which provide comfortable places to move when the weather outside isn’t cooperating. Mall walking has been around for decades for a reason too…because it works! Another approach is to stop thinking about steps as something that only counts during a dedicated workout. Throughout the day, there are plenty of opportunities to add movement in small chunks.
Walking while talking on the phone is a simple example. Instead of sitting during a call, pace around the office or walk laps through a hallway. A surprising number of steps can accumulate during a 20-minute conversation! The same idea applies to household tasks. Putting away laundry, vacuuming, tidying up a room, or making multiple trips when carrying items from one place to another all contribute to your daily movement. It may not feel like exercise, but your body doesn’t really distinguish between steps taken during a workout and steps taken while living your life.
Get In Steps At Home.
If you work from home, consider creating mini movement breaks throughout the day. A quick five-minute walk around the house every hour adds up much faster than most people realize. For people who enjoy streaming shows or watching television in the evenings, that can become an opportunity to get in some movement as well..try turning on your show and walking in place, using a treadmill, or simply moving around during that favorite program…it can turn otherwise sedentary time into active time without requiring extra motivation.
It’s also worth letting go of the idea that every walk has to be long to be worthwhile. Sometimes fitness culture pushes an all-or-nothing mindset that doesn’t reflect our real lives. A couple of ten-minute walks spread throughout the day can be just as beneficial as one longer walk, and they often fit more naturally into busy schedules.
Stay Safe in the Heat.
Of course, summer heat also brings legitimate safety concerns especially when it comes to active lifestyles. In many parts of the country, extreme temperatures aren’t just uncomfortable…they can be dangerous. If conditions are severe, there’s no prize for pushing through because heat exhaustion and dehydration can happen quickly, especially for older adults and anyone with underlying health conditions. On those triple digit or high-humidity days, the smartest choice may simply be moving indoors and adjusting expectations.
Summer doesn’t have to mean putting your activity goals on hold until the weather cools down…it may just mean approaching them a little differently. To be honest, when the alternative is sweating through your clothes before breakfast, a more flexible approach is the way to go….and remember…stay hydrated no matter where you choose to get those steps in!
