A busy schedule shouldn't interfere with your exercise routine. Not only does working out keep you healthy, but it's also a great stress reliever. On the days when work, school or life in general gets overwhelming, a good run or weightlifting session might be just what you need to keep your cool. Here are a few tips for fitting fitness into your busy life:
Do what you like
As Greatist explained, there's nothing worse than 30 minutes on the treadmill when you hate running. If you force yourself to do an exercise you don't enjoy, you won't put your all into it. You'll cheat yourself out of reps, take a few extra rest minutes, or not even make it off your couch. Working out in a way you love, on the other hand, makes you excited to move and you'll end up working harder. It might take some time to find what you like, so don't be afraid to try new things.
"Being fit is just as important to your health as brushing your teeth."
Make exercise a priority
Don't think of working out as something you do only if you have time. Make a priority, something you wouldn't go more than a day or two without doing. After all, being physically fit is just as important to your health as brushing your teeth and taking a shower. Once you start to see exercise as integral to your daily life as opposed to a means to some abstract goal, it's a lot easier to stick with it.
Minimize your workout time
An hour of yoga every day works for some people, but not everyone. Don't feel guilty if you can't commit to the gym for a lengthy period of time. Even just 15 minutes of strength training a day can bring benefits. According to the European Society of Cardiology, spending a quarter-hour working out reduces the risk of death in older adults by 22 percent.
If you want to reduce your workout time while maximizing your results, Livestrong suggested performing compound exercises that utilize different muscle groups at once. Kettlebell swings, for example, engage your legs, glutes, hips, abdominals, pecs and grip all in one go. This way, you don't have to spend time strengthening each individual part of your body.
Managing exercise and a busy schedule seems hard in theory, but it's easier to put in practice than you might think. All you need is a little determination and at least 15 minutes.