If you have a busy schedule, it can be tough to fit exercise into your daily life. Between work and responsibilities at home, it may seem impossible to make your way to the gym and take part in regular workouts. However, you can incorporate exercise into your daily life without frequenting the gym. Read on to learn about nine easy ways to be more active throughout your day.
1. Take the stairs
When given the option between taking the escalator or elevator and taking the stairs, choose the stairs. Walking up and down stairs can be a great way to get your steps in for the day. Plus, it’s an easy adjustment you can make in the course of your everyday life.
2. Switch up your commute
If your office is close to where you live, start walking or biking to work instead of driving. In addition to saving on gas money, you’ll reap the benefits of a nice morning cardio session. If your office is too far away, then consider walking or biking to the grocery store, the post office, or wherever else you need to go.
3. Take up jogging
Jogging is a relatively quick and simple way to get a cardio exercise in during your day. That’s because you can jog virtually anywhere—a local park, your neighborhood, even a treadmill at the gym. Just make sure to pick up some running shoes for women or men so that your feet don’t get too sore or blistered.
4. Dance whenever you can
Dancing is a natural way to release energy. In addition to serving as great physical exercise, dancing can be a great mental release that helps you shed stress and anxiety. All you have to do is carve out five minutes of your day to listen to your favorite tunes and let your body move to the beat.
5. Stand at your desk
One of the easiest ways to be more active at work is to stand at your desk. If your workplace offers standing desks, opt to use those. If you work from home, then you can invest in a hybrid desk with an adjustable height. Standing throughout the day can allow you to burn more calories than you would sitting down.
6. Play with your pets
If you have pets, spend some time playing with them every day. Run around with your dog in the park or play fetch. This will encourage you to get out and be active while helping your pet burn off some excess energy.
7. Make plans to be active
What do you like to do in your spare time? Maybe you like to go to the movies or get drinks with friends or stay inside and read. While all of these are great activities, consider making more active plans every once in a while. Rather than sedentary activities, ask a friend if they’d like to go on a hike over the weekend or play tennis after work.
8. Go for an evening stroll
An evening stroll can be a relaxing way to wind down a long day. Find a local walking trail that you can use or just wander through the neighborhood after dinner. Even if all you do is walk around the block, it’s still better than nothing.
9. Get the kids involved
If you have kids, they can help you work some exercise into your day. For those with toddlers, play with them, dance with them, or take them out to have fun in the yard. Or, if you have older kids, you can play sports with them, take them on hikes, or go down to the local pool for family swim night. Your kids will love spending time with you, and your body will appreciate all of the energy you put into family activities.
While going to the gym is good, it’s not the only way to fit exercise into your schedule. Follow one or all of these tips to start getting more active in your day-to-day life.
Meet Amber, a busy work-at-home mom to four fantastic kids: Damian (27), Rosaleigh (15), Carlyn (12), and Naomi (9)! 🌟 When she’s not running Metro Detroit Mommy, she loves to dive into creative projects like drawing, photography, and crafting, or unwind with some gardening, reading, and meditation. 🌿🎨📸
Amber cherishes the moments she gets to spend with her kids and feels incredibly fortunate to provide them with endless opportunities and experiences through her work. She’s also on a personal journey, focusing on improving her emotional health every day. 💖✨
Life is full, fun, and always an adventure with Amber and her crew! 🎉