The Keys to Total Fitness for Busy People
The Keys to Total Fitness for Busy People
For most people, fitness brings up images of running at the park or lifting weights at the gym to have a slimmer waistline and bigger biceps. However, you could have both of those things and still live in abject misery if you don’t take the whole body and mind into consideration. That sounds exhausting, as well as time-consuming, which means it probably won’t fit into your busy schedule. Think again and take a look at what you need to do and how to make it work.
Enjoy Your Exercise
As one celebrity fitness coach tells Shape magazine, “there’s not one magic workout schedule that will make you burn fat and build lean muscle.” So what do you need? A bit of cardio and a bit of strength training. Activities like team sports, ultimate Frisbee, and yoga meet those requirements. Choose something you like and the fun will keep you coming back for more.
Take Some “Me” Time
It’s perfectly okay to spoil yourself as it may do you some good. There’s no reason for this to be expensive or time-consuming if you’re willing to think creatively. Imagine an at-home spa where you and a friend take turns giving each other hot rock massages followed by skincare treatments, all while sipping on your tea with relaxing music playing in the background.
Learn to Eat Healthy
That exercise isn’t going to do much good if your lunch comes from a taco truck. It’s time for a change, but cooking brings up images of slaving over a stove for hours on end while your tummy grumbles. Banish the thought because you don’t need much time to cook balanced meals, and you’ll save a lot by doing your lunch in large batches that you put in the freezer then pull out later to fill up a Tupperware container that you bring to work.
Stay Hydrated
There are many people who don’t drink enough water, and the consequences for their health are dire. If you’re one of them, there’s an easy solution: Bring it with you wherever you go and take regular sips when you’re thirsty. You may have read that you need eight glasses a day, but there are very few doctors and fitness instructors who agree with that assessment, as the correct amount depends on your size and how active you are. Just pay attention to your body.
Spend Time Outdoors
You need sunshine; otherwise, your body can’t produce enough vitamin D, which is vital to warding off conditions such as osteoporosis to depression. That’s just the beginning when it comes to the benefits of nature, says a writer with ZLiving. In numerous studies, the outdoors has been shown to improve people’s mood while helping them focus, and all it takes is a lunch break outside. You can also get fresh air by drinking your coffee outside in the morning.
Meditate to Find Calm
Have you got five minutes? That’s enough for a mindful session that will not only calm your nerves but give your self-esteem a boost and put you to bed on time. There’s little mystery as to how it works: By slowing down your breathing and focusing your mind on your bodily sensations, you cut short the “fight or flight” response and engage your parasympathetic nervous system, which slows down your heart rate and gives you a relaxing reset.
Practice Your Hobby
Sometimes all you need is something to look forward to at the end of the day, and activities such as playing the guitar, knitting scarves, or painting portraits deliver that and a whole lot more, says lifestyle website Your Zen Life. Becoming skilled at a hobby naturally makes you more confident while also sparking the creative side of your brain.
It does take some effort to fit these activities into your schedule, but it’s worth it if you value your happiness and sanity. Reflect on what you do with your time, then make a few adjustments. You can fit them in.
Image via Pixabay
