Exercising on Busy Days

Whether it be work, school, or a combination of the two, finding time for healthy habits can feel difficult. This can be especially true with exercise. Not everyone has a gym right next door, and even exercise at home can be difficult without the right knowledge. With the prevalence that the fitness/exercise lifestyle has in the cultural zeitgeist lately, you may want to include fitness-based habits in your day-to-day without knowing where to start. Luckily, there are quite a few ways to maximize the efficiency of your exercise without it taking too much time out of your day.

Walking is a form of cardio that is often severely underrated for daily exercise. It can be done almost anywhere, and if done outside also gets you some fresh air. You can also moderate your pace to be faster or slower depending on preference. To get the most out of your walk, try doing it after lunch or dinner to boost your metabolism. Additionally, if you work a 9-5 and have fifteen-minute breaks, taking a walk is the perfect way to spend them. Even if you want to scroll on your break, scroll while taking a stroll outside! No matter when you go or how short the walk, a little physical activity is still healthy for the body.

You can also be using technology to your advantage. If you hate exercising with real people watching, but also don’t want to be alone, try following along with a YouTube video or an Instagram tutorial! Even if it's just one exercise - like a plank or a pushup - there is somewhere online where you can see someone else doing it and follow along.

Speaking of “just one exercise”, if that’s all you have time for, that's okay too! A one-minute plank or one minute of jumping jacks is going to get your heart rate up and count as physical exercise, engaging various muscles and making you breathe a little harder. Schedule just five minutes across the span of one day to do an exercise repetitively, and you’ll have done five rounds of exercise (even if it's one minute per session). It may not seem like much, but you may be surprised to see the habit become second-nature.

One of the things that matters most with physical fitness is consistency. If consistency is difficult to commit to daily, starting small like this and spacing things out can really help create motivation and encourage habits to form naturally. Additionally, consistency probably won’t start building until you know what works well for your schedule, which might take some time. Even certain daily exercises may have to be adjusted as your schedule or physical capabilities change.

Exercising consistently can be really tough, so it's also important to be kind to yourself, especially if you’re just starting. Some movements are better than none, and small yet frequent movements do add up! If you have an off day full of exhaustion, that is very normal, so don’t let it interrupt your flow. Take your time and figure out what fits your lifestyle. As summer steadily approaches and the weather is warming up, I hope you’re able to fit some exercise into your day.