Staying Active While Working From Home
It’s no surprise that regular exercise does wonders to your mental and physical health. If you find that exercise sometimes slips to the bottom of your to-do list, you’re not alone.
With many convenient and creative ways to work out at home these days, you don’t need a gym membership or any special equipment to squeeze in time to move your body. Set yourself up for success by sticking to a home workout routine with these useful tips.
Build A Routine
Like your morning shower or afternoon lunch break, it’s easy to find where workouts fit in best. Are you a morning person? Consider heading to bed a bit sooner so you can start your day 30 minutes earlier with an at-home workout. You can also try blocking off your calendar during the workday to fit in a workout.
Dress The Part
One of the simplest ways to find extra motivation to move is probably already in your closet: your workout clothes. If you work from home, starting the day with the right gear can have big benefits. When you put on comfortable gym shoes or walking pants first thing in the morning, you’re kicking things off with the mindset that you’re ready to work out.
Embrace Multitasking
It’s no secret that a great playlist can keep you motivated during a workout, but you don’t have to stick to only music. Dive into a new podcast or TV series while you work out. Set aside a good show to stream only while you’re exercising or listen to a new podcast you’ve been dying to listen to.
And whether you’re in a meeting that doesn’t require you to be in front of a computer or need a few minutes to reset, use this time to do some simple stretches or take a walk around the block.
Do Something You Enjoy
It’s much easier to make exercise a regular part of your life when it doesn’t feel like a chore. Don’t be discouraged if you try a few different types of exercise before you land on something you truly like. Here are a few ways to get your heart pumping: bike or walk around your neighborhood, do simple strength and stretching exercises, stream online workout classes, dance to your favorite music.
Set Realistic Goals
Everyone’s workout habits and goals look different and that’s okay. Be kind to yourself and start by reaching for small, achievable goals, like exercising a certain number of times a week or walking an extra block. As long as you’re consistently moving your body, know that you’re doing your mental and physical health a huge favor.
