We all know movement is good for our bodies. It helps our circulation, regular exercise can increase our immunity, and it’s good for our minds too! It’s an opportunity to recharge. To relax. So often though, fitting exercise or striving for hitting those step goals can add stress into our already busy lives. When the heck can I find time for one more thing?
And additional stressors work against our body’s wellbeing.
Sure, you could wake up earlier, or stay up later, but what are some practical ways to start out when you really are already stretched for time?
- Find small pockets of time for movement. For me, this was the second half of my lunch break. I knew I was sitting too much at work so, I started getting out at lunch. Getting outside is also one of the things I love to do to unwind and decrease stress, so for me, this was a two for one. Total no brainer. I just started walking for 15 minutes, 5 days a week during my lunch. It might not be much, but progress is progress.
- Make it a priority. Is it something you say you want to do over and over again but just don’t? Then it’s not a priority. Consider other things that suck time away from your day. Scrolling the internet, hitting snooze 3 times – I mean, you’re not actually falling back asleep and getting quality sleep during this time. So just get up and get going.
- Make it a family activity. Do your kids go outside to play? Put that load of wash in and THEN get outside with them. Go for a walk or a jog. Invite them to do a workout along side you. Not only can this motivate you, it can also create great lifelong habits for them. Do you need to allow them to tag along every day? HECK NO. You mama, deserve some time to yourself, too.
Overall, give yourself a ton of grace. Nothing and nobody is ever perfect. But if getting to moving is something you need to be doing, then just START. Start somewhere. Start slow so you don’t burn yourself out. Which, if you’re already feeling burnt out, jump in my free group “Exhausted to Energized Moms” and get back to feeling like you again. Come join us. If you need an accountability partner, or a community of support along this crazy motherhood journey, and you’ve been feeling burnt out, overwhelmed, and just not yourself, then this is the right place for you.
