We are all so busy that exercise doesn’t come up on our to-do list that often. But it really doesn’t matter what type of exercise we do as long as we do something. Neither does it matter where you start from. No matter your fitness level or age exercise will benefit you. If you haven’t exercised in a while then just starting from where you are will give your mental and physical health a boost. But please seek medical advice before you start any new exercise program.

There is plenty of research that supports the emotional and mental health benefits of exercise. So what are some of these benefits?

Benefits Of Exercise On Our Mental And Physical Health.

1. It increases our work and academic performance.
2. It helps with memory improvement, decreases confusion and staves off cognitive decline.
3. Some positive indications have been linked with ADHD
4. Our feeling of assertiveness and confidence
5. It can also decrease our feelings of anger, hostility and tension.
6. It improves our mood and depression, anxietyand phobia symptoms lessen.
7. We feel less stressed and our sleep
8. It aids addiction recovery.

But if you have no time for exercise then what?

No Time For Exercise?

If you have no time for exercise get out for a walk at lunchtime. Taking a walk during lunchtime can combine exercise and help to improve your sleep and stress levels. Even taking 10 minutes at lunchtime will leave you feeling better.

You could also try to taking some breaks outside throughout the day, especially if you are indoors all day. A quick walk around the office, around the garden, car park, local park, etc., for 3-5 minutes at a time would do. Try to focus on just your breathing during this time. This can be enough of a recharge between tasks. Remember our brain is better working in shorter batches on similar tasks. After two hours it needs a longer break so please take it and get up, get moving.

If you are sitting at a desk all day, even at home, then stretch at least once an hour. Get up from your desk and move about. When we are hunched over your desk you are inadvertently putting your body into the freeze or fright mode. This is sending an unconscious signal to the brain that you are not safe. It raises your anxiety levels also. It is not good for your mental or physical health long term. Taking this time to stretch will also allows your mind time to switch between tasks as it was simply not made for multi-tasking.

Do a quick brainstorm of any other ways you can slip exercise into your day. Ask friends and family what they do. Brainstorm ideas together and try to motivate one another. It doesn’t matter if you don’t exercise together or do the same type of exercise. What matters is that you support one another in a positive manner and get moving.

My Book.

In my book, The Building Blocks Of Self-Care, I provide easy and quick strategies to get you back feeling rebalanced. The book also includes all the worksheets you need to take you step by step through the process. You can purchase it on Amazon or through my website.