It’s no secret: exercise is good for you. It’s linked to less stress, increased cognitive function, and better physical health. But you already know all that! The challenge is that, if you’re like most people, time is scarce and that can make it tough to prioritize fitness.
And we understand! Life is busy and you’ve got things to do. But because the benefits of movement and exercise are so significant, it’s really worth the effort–and a little effort can go a long way,
Since May is Global Employee Health and Fitness Month, it’s a great time to kickstart your fitness routine, and we’ve got some tips to make it easy.
6 Ways to Incorporate Exercise into Your Day
1. Find something you love
This one’s first because it’s the most important. If you don’t enjoy the exercise you’re doing, it’ll feel like a chore and it’ll make it that much harder to do it!
Find something that you actually enjoy doing and it’ll be easier to stick to a routine. Here are a few ideas:
- Running or walking club.
- Martial arts.
- Adults rec-league sports (soccer, ultimate frisbee, volleyball, etc.)
- Dance! Partner dancing, hip hop, ballet, or one of the many other options available
- Hot yoga.
And if you don’t know where to start, why not try them all? Class Pass is a great way to try different exercise classes such as Pilates, Barre, or spin at various studios around Tucson!
2. Keep it convenient
If it’s too much work, chances are you won’t keep up a consistent exercise schedule. Convenience will look different for different people, but here are a few ideas:
- Keep workout clothes in your car, so you have them accessible if the mood strikes.
- Join a gym that’s close by! The longer the drive, the less likely you’ll go. Better yet—find one you can walk to.
- Combine your workouts with other errands. I.e. yoga with a side of grocery shopping—two in one!
Exercise and movement don’t have to be a chore—keep it easy, convenient, and enjoyable!
3. Make it a date
Most of us need a little external accountability and knowing that someone else is counting on you can be just the motivation you need. So, set a date with your friend or partner to keep you accountable for your workout session.
You can even make a date with your kids to go for a walk together or throw around a baseball. Or, next time you bring them to their soccer or baseball practice, go for a walk or run yourself!
It also sometimes helps to set a goal, whether it’s to finish a 5 mile run or to hit a certain target weight in the gym.
This strategy is especially useful if you’re trying to get up early or do something you normally wouldn’t do on your own. Whenever you want to hit snooze, just remember your friend is out there waiting for you or your goal is sitting there ready to be achieved!
4. Do your chores
Making room for exercise in your life does not need to be an intense HIIT session five days a week. Sometimes you just need to switch up the mindset and focus on incorporating more movement into your daily life. Consider these options:
- Park in the back corner of the parking lot at the store to get in a bit of a walk.
- Find some extra cleaning tasks in your house or yard—vacuuming, mowing the lawn, or washing windows are all great active options!
- If you’re doing some computer work, consider a standing desk, exercise ball, or mini-treadmill to avoid sitting in one place all day. Or, when you’re at the office, try these ten easy office exercises!
- Not quite a chore, but… Do some exercises while watching TV!
5. Find YOUR time
You’ve probably stumbled across some guru on Instagram telling you how life-changing it is to wake up early and get your day started before everyone else. And it may be for some people! But the truth is that some people just need a little more sleep in the morning and prefer to exercise at night.
Whatever time of day you’re feeling it is the right time to get moving! Find a schedule that works for you. Pop in your favorite podcast (here are some great podcasts for on-the-go pros) and then just do your thing!
6. Get outside
We don’t have anything against the gym, but it’s just not the same as the great outdoors! Nature has been shown to boost creativity and focus, so why not take your fitness regime outside? We’re lucky to have a ton of awesome hiking and walking trails around Tucson. Here are some favorites:
- Tumamoc Hill: A beautiful nature preserve just outside of downtown Tucson!
- Rillito River Park: A great place to walk by the river and stop at the exercise stations along the way!
- Sabino Canyon Recreation Park: A sunrise hike here is one of our favorite ways to spend a day off in the city!
Just make sure to pick the right times of day so you beat the heat!
Exercise and movement are so important, but it’s hard to get into the habit. Make it a priority by trying out one of these tips today!
If you’re interested in working at an office space designed to support wellness, book a tour of The Post today.