As soon as you wake up in the morning, you find yourself juggling about a million tasks that all seem to need to be done at the same time. It’s already tough enough to create a healthy balance between work, family, hobbies, and friends while still making time to eat and sleep each day! With all these commitments, obligations, and activities, making time for fitness and exercise may seem next to impossible. However, there are all kinds of ways to fit quick workouts and healthy habits into your busy day, without taking too much time away from any of the other items on your to-do list. On the island of Saba, students at Saba University take advantage of the amazing hiking trails and outdoor fitness activities when they can, but here are a few examples of things you can do in between classes, during breaks at work, or any other time you can fit in a few minutes of fitness!
Step by Step
We all know that walking is a healthy, effective way to burn calories and stay active. Taking short walks during your workday can help break up the monotony of sitting still behind your desk and get you moving. Since a sedentary lifestyle has been linked to a number of conditions, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity, it’s essential to try to fit active bursts into your day. Take time on your lunch break to enjoy a quick walk around your corporate campus, or start walking, rather than driving, to the deli or coffee shop where you buy your meals. If you’re unable to get away from the office, try to get up t least once per hour and march in place for a minute or two. You’ll be amazed by how much more invigorated and awake you’ll feel!
Stand At Attention
Did you know that standing rather than sitting at your desk all day burns more calories? Many office employees have ditched their old desks and purchased standing desks, which allow them to stay on task without staying on their behinds. Some standing desk models feature adjustable shelves, allowing the user to alternate standing and sitting throughout the day. If you are unable to procure a standing desk, you can still take frequent stand breaks at your desk, or designate a 3-minute period per hour for standing up at the copier, scanner, or other office equipment while you work.
Dance It Out
At the end of a long busy day, when the kids are in bed and you’re finally able to kick off your shoes and relax, it’s a common tendency to want to flop on the sofa and start scrolling through Netflix. Before you get too comfy, why not take a quick five minutes to pop on one of your favorite party tunes and take a little dance break? Not only are you burning calories and fat, but you’re also releasing feel-good endorphins, which give you the little pick-me-up you need at the end of another hectic day. Dance alone or with your favorite partner to turn your living room into a mini nightclub!
Fitness can be found just about anywhere, so long as you’re willing to look for it. You don’t have to spend an hour at the gym on an elliptical- jogging along with your baby stroller, taking your dog on a walk around the block, or even doing a couple of jumping jacks and push-ups when you first wake up in the morning all count as fitness activities. The most important thing about fitting in fitness is to find the type of exercise that best fits your personality, lifestyle, and time constraints. Once you find the right kind of exercise that allows you to fit it into even the busiest day, you’ll be ready to enjoy an active, healthy lifestyle, not to mention look and feel great!
Image Source: Pixabay.com
