We have busy lives, you and I.
There’s always something clamoring for our attention: children, spouse, aging parents, job, household projects and duties, errands, community commitments. It’s true. There’s a big demand on our time.
What’s also true is that as nurturers, we women often find it hard to fit in time to take care of ourselves. Of course we’ve all heard about self-care and how important it is to make sure we’re healthy and well before we can take care of someone else. We need to eat well and destress and sleep and exercise. But it can be hard… really hard… to find the time for all of this.
Regarding exercise, if we don’t make time to fit it in, it likely will be one of the first things to fall off our radar. This is true for me, too.
It’s also easy to let excuses crowd out this important practice. Do any of these sound familiar?
- “I’m too tired in the morning… and in the evening.”
- “I don’t have the energy to fit in exercise because I’m being tapped for so many other things.”
- “I’m too old.” Here’s a blog I wrote on this topic. While visiting China I saw fit and happy grannies everywhere! Delightful and inspiring!
- “I have an injury that keeps me from getting exercise”
- “I can’t afford a membership at the gym.”
- “I’m not a gym person.”
- “I don’t like jogging.”
- “I don’t like lifting weights.”
- “There’s no shower at my work, so I can’t workout at lunch.”
- “The weather makes it hard to get outside.”
- “But… my hair…!”
You get the picture. I’ve used every one of these excuses. EVERY ONE. Including that last one about my hair. Truth.
Here’s the thing. Exercise is so important to us, we need to MAKE it a priority. Consider it as a prescription from your doctor, because it is.
That said, we tend to complicate exercise and that becomes another excuse for us.
Exercise just means movement that puts light stress on our bodies to make them stronger. You don’t have to be the female counterpart of Arnold Schwarzenegger, or a marathoner, or a yoga star. You just need to make time to incorporate more movement, elevate your heart rate a bit, let your muscles be used. This doesn’t have to be formal, either.
Here are some ways to incorporate more exercise into your already busy life:
- Park at the far end of the parking lot.
- Take the stairs.
- Do 10 squats every time you use the restroom (sounds weird, but who will see you?).
- Spend 5-10 minutes stretching upon awakening in the morning… it’s a great way to wake up for the day. And then another 5-10 minutes of light stretching before bed.
- Go on a walk as part of your lunch break at work.
- Have a walking meeting with your co-worker.
- Check out YouTube for ideas for body weight exercises or other quick workouts.
- Go on a walk after supper.
- Play at the park with kids or grandkids. Or your neighbor’s kids. (Stay away from stranger’s kids, ’cause that could be creepy.)
- Injury got you down? Focus on what you CAN do, not on what you CAN’T.
- Rock it old school: sit-ups, push-ups (modified, for me), jumping jacks.
- Swim, dance, hike, bike ride, walk, ice skate, rock climb…
The possibilities are endless, and so are the benefits:
- Improves sleep
- Increases energy
- Regulates hormones
- Reduces anxiety and depression
- Elevates mood
- Reduces frequency and intensity of hot flashes (win!)
- Helps with weight loss
- Builds balance
- Strengthens bones
- Improves brain health and memory
- Heightens immune function
- Lowers blood pressure
- It’s a great way to connect with a friend
- It can be a fun date with your loved one
- Makes you look and feel younger (Can I get an “amen?”)
- Promotes a better sex life (Just sayin’.)
Make up your mind to fit in some type of movement daily. You’ll be glad you did! For more on this topic, here’s a blog I wrote about exercise. 30 minutes is great, but if that feels overwhelming, start with a shorter amount of time. 20? 10? I’ve tricked myself many times by saying I only had time for 10 minutes, but feel so good that I go much longer.
Daily. Do it. Feel great!
What about you?
What is your favorite way to include movement in your daily life?