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Tips for exercising even when you don't have time.

Our busy lifestyles often get in the way of doing the things that will make us feel good and maintain our health and well-being. Recognizing that and setting priorities may help you to find the time to exercise. Here are some scheduling possibilities to consider:

1. Look at your schedule and see if you can find a free half hour or two free fifteen-minute periods. If you find them, schedule physical activity into those slots. You have found the solution to your problem. A half hour of exercise per day is all you need to maintain health.

2. If you can't find the time in your daily schedule, is it possible to get up half an hour earlier in the morning?

3. If you are already stretched thin and need all the sleep you can get, it's probably time to look at your life on a bigger scale and to make some changes.

While you're doing that, we'll look for ways here for you to exercise even when you don't have time. One way is to grab a few minutes here and there. It's not as efficient as exercising for 30 minutes straight, but every bit of physical activity is of benefit to you. Here are some ways to put extra physical activity into your day.

1. Make a point to search out opportunities to move throughout the day. Many of us sit at our desks all day long. We don't move, even when given the chance. For example, instead of going to put a letter in the mail box at the reception desk when you prepare each letter, you wait until the end of the day and take all the letters to the box at one time. Instead of waiting, make a quick trip to the mailbox several times a day. Your body will benefit from it.

2. Look for ways to increase the amount of physical activity in everyday activities. For example, do you park as close as possible to the door at work? Why not start parking as far away from the door as possible? That will increase your physical activity.

3. What do you do during your lunch hour? If you eat lunch at your desk, why not take half that time to walk around the parking lot, go to the car and return, or just do some stretching and walking in place at your desk.

4. Make cleaning your house or apartment an aerobic event. Step up the pace when vacuuming or mopping the floor. Dust with a frenzy. You may end up inventing a whole new form of exercise.

Most importantly, ask for help. If your schedule is crowding in on even finding a bit of time to exercise, it might be time to renegotiate your priorities. It's important to make the time to exercise because it not only helps us physically, but it is great for you on an emotional level as well.

Learn more about this author, Lou Belcher.
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