This is a guest post from Sheila Olson of FitSheila.com. Enjoy!
We all need more time in the day. Between work, socializing, and family and home responsibilities, we feel we have to sacrifice certain things to fit everything into our jam-packed schedules. Fitness and self-care usually fall by the wayside. However, with a few changes in your routine, you can make time to improve your health.
Make the Most of Your Time
If you only have a spare 15 minutes to incorporate fitness into your day, it’s important to make the most of that time. Part of caring for yourself is looking after your body. Thankfully, you can take those few minutes to get in a great workout. Plus, there are a few ways to increase intensity during your exercise to make it count more. These include HIIT, or high-intensity interval training, as well as compound movement, which targets specific large muscle groups to do double duty. Compound movement entails moves such as squats, lunges or deadlifts. Because you’re using big muscles, you burn extra calories and get a full-body workout in minutes.
Find Something You Love
If you need extra motivation to be active, one way to keep yourself exercising is to find things you actually enjoy doing. There are plenty of fun ways to get your body moving, and you can almost make a game out of trying new activities to see which suit you best. After all, if you love what you do, you’re more likely to make time for it and follow through with your workouts. Think about what’s possible in your area. Maybe you can take a class at a yoga studio. Grab a friend and go for a hike this weekend and see if you can make it a weekly habit. Take your partner to a dance studio and take lessons together. See if there is a place to go kickboxing after work, and try that. If you live near water, go kayaking, swimming, or canoeing. There are plenty of options if you only take a little time to look and experiment.
Get Enough Sleep Every Night
Even if you think you feel okay after a night or two of not getting enough sleep, you’re actually doing your body a great disservice. Your brain literally cleans itself during sleep, which can make you foggy and groggy over time if left unchecked. Your body repairs itself during your rest cycles, and that can strengthen your immune
It’s not just the quantity of sleep you get, either. Poor sleep quality can also wreak havoc on your body and mind. If you’re waking up several times a night, tossing and turning, or stiff when you wake up, you might need a new mattress. Bear in mind the general rule for mattress replacement is every seven to 10 years, depending on factors like the type of mattress you have, your body weight, and the type of sleeper you are. Also, look into natural remedies that can help you get great sleep. For example, some people turn to products like CBD oil, which can alleviate stress and promote relaxation, which can, in turn, help with insomnia. Just remember to check around for reviews before buying, as quality does matter.
Take Care of Your Body
A good way to ensure you really get time to yourself every day is to sit down and create a schedule. If your body is in a constant state of stress, you may notice a decline in your health, so it really is in your best interest to relax. Do something that you love. That could be chatting with a loved one over lunch, or writing your worries down in a journal. Try not to rush every moment of the day because this just
Also, make time to eat healthy, fulfilling meals — even if that means subscribing to a meal delivery service to ensure you get a healthy, properly portioned meal. Don’t rely on pre-made or overly processed foods. Instead, have fun experimenting with a loved one in the kitchen and try new, fresh recipes a few
You need to take care of yourself and do so in ways that look after your body and your spirit. Find things you love and work out in ways that fit your schedule. Of course, there are limited hours in the day, but it’s time for you to put yourself first.
Sheila Olson
Personal Trainer
Sheila Olson has been a personal trainer for five years. She created Fit Sheila to spread the word about her fitness philosophy and encourage her clients to stay positive. She incorporates mindfulness and practices for reducing negative talk into her sessions.