In today’s fast-paced world, people deal with stress on a daily basis. Between the pressures of work and family, life can often become quite overwhelming. Mental and physical demands may leave you feeling totally exhausted at the end of the day. As a result, keeping your fitness important among all the stresses of everyday life may not be a top priority.
Many individuals simply take fitness for granted. They have no desire or plans to work at keeping fit. Others know they should exercise regularly, yet they tend to push fitness aside indefinitely. They have good intentions of getting around to it someday, when they have more time and energy. Yet, as days and weeks pass by, fitness continues to be forgotten and left out of their daily schedules.
Importance of Fitness
Physical and mental fitness should be an important focus of living. You make time to engage in routine activities each day, such as eating and bathing. Why, then, are exercise and fitness so frequently neglected? Fitness is, after all, vital to your overall well-being and quality of life.
There are several benefits to be derived from keeping fitness important in your everyday life. What are some of those benefits?
o Fitness keeps you looking and feeling healthy.
o Fitness helps prevent depression and reduces stress.
o Regular exercise helps to prevent certain types of cancer, including colon cancer and breast cancer.
o An active, fit lifestyle can lead to clearer thinking and better concentration.
o Incorporating fitness into your lifestyle can help keep your blood pressure at healthy levels.
o Staying fit can reduce or eliminate the risks of heart disease.
o Fitness can slow down the aging process.
When you are physically active and fit, your metabolism will work more efficiently. You will be better able to ward off obesity and the health issues that stem from obesity. Your body will become firmer, stronger, leaner, and more flexible. You will see an increase in your energy level, as well. As you become more energetic, handling all the other tasks and stressors that arise each day should become easier.
Stress can have a negative impact on the health of your body and mind. Stress can cause depression. It can weaken the immune system and lead to illness or disease. According to the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, “the three areas that are most important in protecting and bolstering the immune system are diet and nutrition, exercise, and stress reduction…Even more so than nutrition, exercise has the capacity to protect and even enhance the immune response. Exercise can also improve your mental wellness.”
Tips to Incorporate Exercise into Everyday Life
You seem to be on the go from the moment you wake up until you fall into bed at night. You swear that there is absolutely no way you can squeeze exercise into your everyday life.
If you feel that you truly cannot find time to get in a real workout, take every opportunity throughout the day to move about. Do some stretches at your desk. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Walk to school or work. Walk during your lunch hour and coffee breaks.
Keep in mind, also, that you can be active with your friends and family on your days off. Instead of watching TV or playing video games all day, spend quality time together engaging in such activities as sports, swimming, hiking, or bicycling. Have the kids help you with the gardening. Go dancing with your spouse. There are plenty of ways to be active. It’s up to you to get moving.
Personal trainer Denise Austin advises, “Make it your goal to set an example for your family, and be a role model for your kids or your friends. Knowing that people are looking up to you can be an excellent way to keep your spirits lifted too.”
How to Keep Health and Fitness Important with a Busy Schedule
Now that you realize the importance of health and fitness, it’s time to include them in your busy schedule.
Start down that path to good health and fitness by drawing up a fitness plan. If you need help, do a little research. You may get ideas on creating your plan through a reputable online source or by consulting with your physician or a fitness expert.
Set aside a certain time each day to devote to exercise. Often, getting up earlier and working out first thing in the morning works best. After all, you should be well-rested and ready to perform after a good night’s sleep. Besides, starting out your day with a good workout can actually make you feel more energetic, more optimistic, and more productive throughout the day. If, however, morning exercise sessions won’t work for you, schedule those workouts at a time that is convenient.
Choose exercises that you enjoy. If you plan to engage in physical activities that you enjoy, you will be more motivated to perform them. Make your workouts fun and avoid exercise boredom and frustration!
Choose exercises that you can do. When developing your fitness plan, be realistic about what you are capable of doing. Otherwise, you might get discouraged and quit. Start out slowly, and as your fitness improves, you’ll be better able to try more difficult workouts.
Realize that you can get efficient workouts at home! When time is of the essence, a gym membership may not make sense. Being able to exercise at home is a time-saving convenience. If you’d like the benefit of using fitness equipment, you might consider investing in a home treadmill, elliptical trainer, or home gym.
Make fitness a habit! In the beginning, you may have to force yourself to do those exercises. Don’t give up, though! Be consistent, devoted, and dedicated to improving your fitness. In time, those workouts will become a habit, and you will look forward to the daily sessions.
Remember that you are important, too! You may be the type of person who puts the wants and needs of everyone else above your own. Now is the time to remember that you, too, are important! You deserve time each day to devote to your personal fitness. Make that a priority! When you’re fit, you’re better able to handle everything else that requires your attention.
Recognize the importance of being healthy and fit. With a little effort, you’ll soon discover that you CAN incorporate health and fitness into your everyday life…no matter how busy your schedule!