Many people want an active lifestyle but are so busy at work that it becomes difficult to find time for both. In fact, many people feel like they have to choose between a healthy lifestyle and a successful career. Due to this, many full-time career men and women are considered physically inactive.
According to new CDC estimates of physical inactivity among American adults, over 15% of people were physically inactive. This proves that people are not just busy but becoming increasingly sedentary. Finding ways to balance work and an active lifestyle is vital to avoid this growing problem.
Here are five ways to achieve a healthy balance between work and an active lifestyle:
Set specific days for each activity
The problem with not setting a specific schedule is that you might work out less often or even skip it altogether. Try setting a specific day for each activity to ensure this doesn’t happen. For example, Monday can be your workout day, Tuesday your rest day, Wednesday your workday, and so on. This will help you stay on track and ensure you get enough of both activities.
When you have a set day for each, it becomes easier to plan and manage your time. It also helps to make each activity more routine, and you’re less likely to forget to do them. It all depends on your schedule and what works best for you.
Hire professional help to get the things done
The common cause of not having a balanced work and active lifestyle is that we want to do everything ourselves. We often skip workouts because we’re too busy completing our household chores. Wherein we can just hire professional help to get things done. This way, you can focus on being productive at work and working out without feeling guilty.
Some of the services you might need are:
Laundry services
Due to our busy schedule, we often don’t have time to wash our clothes because we want to use that time to rest or do other activities. Or sometimes, we stop doing our active routine because we want to finish our laundry first. This can be easily fixed by using a laundry service.
There are laundry pickup and delivery services that can pick up your dirty clothes, wash them, and deliver them back to you. This can save you time and hassle, so you can use that time to work out instead or focus more on your work.
Meal delivery services
Some achieve their fitness and work goals without having the proper nutrition. This can be easily fixed by using a meal delivery service. These services deliver healthy meals to your doorstep, so you don’t have to worry about cooking or grocery shopping. This can save you time and money, and it’s a great way to ensure you’re eating healthy.
Childcare services
Finding time to work out or even go to work can be difficult if you have children. This is where childcare services come in. They can help take care of your children while you are at work or working out. This can give you peace of mind knowing that your children are being taken care of and free up some of your time.
Walk or use a bicycle at work
Try walking or riding a bicycle there if your workplace is close enough. This way, you can get some exercise without having to set aside extra time. If your workplace is too far away, try parking your car further away than usual and walking the rest of the way.
You can also take this opportunity to walk or bike to lunch instead of driving. Doing this allows you to get even more steps in and avoid sitting down too much during the day. And if your workplace has multiple floors, take the stairs instead of the elevator. If you want to do extra exercise without having to set aside extra time for it, choose to do this at work.
Invest in fitness equipment
One common reason you skip workout days is that you don’t have the time to go to the gym. This can be easily fixed by investing in some home fitness equipment. This way, you can work out at home whenever you have the time without having to leave the house.
Some great pieces of equipment to invest in are:
- Treadmill: If you like to run or walk, a treadmill is good for doing your cardio at home.
- Elliptical: An elliptical is the best equipment for a full-body workout without putting too much strain on your joints.
- Exercise bike: An exercise bike is best for low-impact cardio. It’s also great when you don’t have the time to go for a long walk or run.
- Dumbbells: Dumbbells are great for strength training and don’t take up much space.
Use a fitness tracker
A fitness tracker is a great way to motivate yourself to be more active. It can also help you to see how active you are and where you need to improve. There are many types of fitness trackers, so you can find one that fits your needs.
Some fitness trackers track your steps, distance, calories burned, and active minutes. Others also track your heart rate, sleep, and weight. There are even fitness tracker apps that you can use on your smartphone.
No matter what type of fitness tracker you choose, make sure it’s one that you’re comfortable using. You should also ensure it’s accurate so you can trust the data it’s giving you.
Final thoughts
A balanced work and active lifestyle will help improve your productivity, mental state, and physical well-being. It can be tough to achieve this balance, but it’s not impossible. There are many ways you can go about achieving this balance. It is crucial to start planning now, stay motivated, and keep at it.