Work Healthy Activities Into a Busy Schedule With These Strategies
How do you work out and eat healthy when you have a busy schedule? Making time to take care of your body is obviously important, but many of us struggle to find activities that will make a difference to our health and work them into a hectic routine. When you’re in a rush, preparing a well-balanced dinner can seem impossible, but the good news is there are several tools available these days for people just like you who need a little help.
The key is to create a realistic plan for your wellness so you can easily maintain these healthy changes and feel better. From eating right to working out to sleeping better, there are strategies that will take the guesswork and frustration out of living a more health-conscious lifestyle. Here, Harmonic Innerprizes presents a few ways you can work exercise and healthy activities into your schedule even when you’re pressed for time.
Squeeze Activity into Unexpected Places
Even when you have a full schedule, fitting activity into your day can be as easy as taking the stairs at work rather than the elevator or parking at the back of the parking lot so you’ll have a longer stretch to walk. You can also take a stroll on your lunch break, especially if you work in a walkable area. Taking a walk – especially out in nature – will accomplish a boost to your mental health as well since you’ll be able to get outdoors.
If you work in an office and feel stuck at your desk for most of the day, these are great ways to get moving and boost your heart rate, but you can also consider learning a few stretches or yoga poses you can do at your desk. This will help to relieve tension and stress and get your blood flowing. Consider, as well, asking your employer to invest in a standing desk so you’re not sedentary for several hours at a time.
Create an Area for Home Workouts
Working in some activity during the day is a great way to stay fit when you’re busy, but you can also create a space at home that’s dedicated to exercise. Not only will this save you money on an expensive gym membership, it will help you get moving on those busy days when a trip to the gym isn’t possible anyway. You don’t have to invest in costly equipment, although if that’s what helps you stay motivated, go for it!
Think of a few tools you might use most at home, such as a yoga mat, an exercise ball, free weights, and a jump rope, and give yourself space with enough room to move around comfortably. You don’t have to build an extension onto your home in order to enjoy a workout space; simply find an area that gives you some privacy and offers room for any equipment you’ll need. You can also add Bluetooth speakers that connect to your smartphone so you can enjoy music for motivation as you get moving.
Focus on Nutrition
Eating healthy doesn’t just mean dieting. It means being aware of what you put in your body and how it makes you feel. Most people feel sluggish after eating processed foods or a fast food dinner because the nutritional value is low and the preservatives, sodium, and fat content are high. Your body is working hard to pull what little nutrients it can, and then doesn’t get the good stuff it needs to keep up that energy cycle.
Do your best to make healthier food choices, even when eating out. Opt for more whole and natural foods instead, and fill your fridge with quick and easy healthy choices, especially for snacks since those tend to get us in trouble. You can also look into supplements and natural remedies, like those offered by Harmonic Innerprizes. Although getting important vitamins and minerals from food is best, supplements can help you to care for your body when you can’t cook every meal.
You can also choose to work with a nutritionist if you are really serious about changing your eating habits in healthier ways. If you don’t have insurance, look into government subsidized programs that can help offset the cost. The Affordable Care Act brought an increased number of options to residents, but state specific information varies.
Get Outside
Healthy habits are easier to maintain when they’re fun, so if a home gym isn’t your thing, consider learning how to play a sport or heading to your local park to shoot hoops on your day off. When your schedule is especially busy, you might take care of two tasks at once by taking the dog for a brisk walk first thing in the morning or playing with the kids in the backyard after work. Not only is this helpful when you’re trying to ease into a healthier routine, it can allow you to feel more energized throughout the day and rest better at night.
Get Moving While You’re Entertained
While relaxing during your time off is important for beating back stress and anxiety, there may also be times when you find yourself sitting down, watching television, or scrolling through your phone aimlessly. After you’ve sufficiently recharged, consider getting up and moving around while you take in your entertainment. Put on a movie and clean the living room at the same time, or watch an episode of your favorite television show while you spend time on the exercise bike. Put on some music and have a dance party with the kids. Not only are these fun ways to work activity into your routine, they can help you remain productive by taking your mind off the task at hand.
Make Steps Towards Healthier Routines
Working healthy habits into your lifestyle and making fitness a priority can be challenging at first, but the more you do it, the easier it will become. Try fitting activity into your day at work by taking walks and requesting a standing desk. That way, even when you’re pressed for time, you can give yourself a reason and place to get moving. And ensuring you have health insurance means that you can consult with specialists about your particular health-related needs. And with a little extra effort, you can maintain your new routines and start feeling better in no time.
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