Regular exercise is an important aspect of healthy living. It keeps your mind sharp and your body strong, plus it improves your mood and self-confidence. Unfortunately, as soon as work or family responsibilities start to pile up, regular exercise is one of the first things to be pushed off your day’s priority list. Here are five ways on how to incorporate exercise into your busy daily routine.
1. Consider Commuting With a Bike
If you need to attend a class or get to work and your destination is fairly close, use a bike instead of driving your car or commuting on a bus. According to a recent study by the American College of Cardiology, an hour of physical activity each day can significantly reduce the risk of developing many life-threatening diseases. Taking a bike to work, class, or the grocery not only promotes fitness but is also a more cost-effective and eco-friendly solution to your daily commutes.
2. Commit to a Short Daily Workout
You don’t have to do two hours at the gym every day to enjoy the benefits of regular exercise. Half an hour spent on the treadmill or doing range-of-motion exercises on a yoga mat is enough to help strengthen your mind and body.
3. Watch and Move
After a busy day at work, you may want to just sit on the couch and catch up on some of your favorite TV shows. Use the time to also get a light workout done. Get some basic home fitness equipment, such as a yoga mat, dumbbells, kettlebells, and resistance bands, and start working out while you’re watching a movie or a show. Push-ups, sit-ups, burpees, squats, and planking are only a few of the many exercises you can perform at home with little to no equipment needed.
4. Buddy Up
Although a busy work schedule is a common culprit in one’s inability to commit to a regular fitness regimen, lack of motivation is another possible deterrent. With your mental and physical energy zapped, it’s easy to just want to skip working out and watch some TV instead. A buddy system in place can help you break away from that mindset. Agreeing to work out with a close friend or coworker on a regular schedule gives you accountability. It pressures you to put on your workout clothes and to head to the gym for some exercise.
5. Take Short Breaks Between Work
Whether you’re working from home or at an office location, make it a habit to take short breaks after an hour or two of work. A 10-minute walk around your office or neighborhood may seem insignificant when compared to intense workouts that other people commit to, but it is still a good way to reduce the risk of a number of health complications. These include depression, anxiety, colon cancer, obesity, and elevated blood pressure.
Incorporating exercise into your daily routine is not an impossible feat; it’s all about managing your time better, cultivating the right mindset, and eliminating the barriers that prevent you from exercising.
