Do you ever cringe when you hear the word ‘exercise’ because you know it’s important, but you never seem to have the time to actually do it and have no idea where to start? Don’t worry, you’re not alone in trying to figure out how to fit exercise into your life.
It’s hard enough trying to balance work and family life before adding exercise into the mix and it’s easy enough to shrug it off and say next time. If you want to change this mindset and begin enjoying a healthy lifestyle, then keep reading for your ultimate guide on how to be active and stay active. You may find that you’re already exercising without even knowing it!
WHY SHOULD YOU EXERCISE?
Studies show that regular exercise is one of the best ways you can improve your health and happiness.
Main benefits from exercising include helping you to improve your cardiovascular health and relieving you of daily stress and anxiety.
Research also shows how exercise can boost your mood and improve your quality of sleep so you can feel calm and refreshed to take on whatever life brings you.
However, it can feel overwhelming when you’re trying to make time for exercise. So, here are some simple and incidental physical activities that absolutely count as exercise and will help you stay active without having to take too much extra time out of your busy day.
TOP 5 WAYS TO BE ACTIVE AND STAY ACTIVE
- Join a social sport competition
Make lifelong friends and feel like part of your community in a fun and social sport environment and you’ll be improving your health without even realising. Who knew exercising could be fun! Social sport competitions like the ones offered by SportUP are the perfect way for you to relax after a hard day at work while also providing you with numerous health benefits. Try Netball, Basketball, Volleyball or Football.
- Go dancing in the dark
Whether you’re grooving in a dance class or you’re simply dancing in your PJs in the living room, you’ll for sure be having fun while getting a full-on body workout. Dancing is a great physical activity to help boost your mood and reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease. So, pump up the music and let your body move to a healthy rhythm.
- Walk or cycle instead of using the car for short trips
Keep the car at home and enjoy a leisurely walk or ride to the shops or work. Walking or cycling are easy and accessible activities that get your body moving and blood pumping. A regular routine of swapping the car for your body can significantly improve your energy balance and overall mental and physical health.
- Tend the garden
Whether you’re a casual or avid gardener, a garden is a great source of exercise and relaxation. Research suggests that gardening is a great way to add physical activity to your daily routine and can reduce depression, anxiety and body mass index. So, what are you waiting for? Go grab those gardening gloves and become a healthier you one plant at a time.
- Find an excuse to laugh
Social, psychological and physiological studies have proven that laughter yoga is a better workout for your abs than crunches (boring) or back lifting exercises (yuck). As the saying goes, ‘laughter is the best medicine’, so find enjoyment in the little things and start laughing your way to an active and healthy life.
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