Reviewed by Megan vonWerssowetz, FNP
Are you looking to be more active in 2023?
A more active lifestyle is essential for many reasons. It can help you lose weight, stay physically healthy, boost energy levels, and improve your mood. Overall, a more active lifestyle leads to a healthier version of you.
How do you fit an active lifestyle into an already busy schedule?
It can be challenging to find time for an active lifestyle. Most of us are running around from one thing to the next, barely having time for a break. And when we do find some free time, it is often spent on our phones, scrolling through social media, or watching TV. The good news is that you can stay active despite your busy schedule.
This article will give tips on how to live an active lifestyle with an already busy schedule.
Start by being intentional.
Being intentional with your planning and decision-making is crucial when living a more active lifestyle. What does that mean? To be intentional means getting clear upfront about what you want to achieve. When you are intentional, you make decisions and act on what is important to you.
Busy at work.
About 80% of all jobs in the United States are sedentary and require little physical activity, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t opportunities to be more active while working. Try these ideas to be more active during a busy work schedule.
- Join a lunchtime walking group. No groups around? Set one up!
- Take meetings outside so you can walk and talk.
- Take regular breaks from your computer to stand up and walk around.
- Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
- Walk to your coworkers to ask a question instead of emailing.
Look to incorporate movement into your daily work tasks. Including more activity in your workday adds up. You’ll be surprised how much more exercise can fit into your busy work schedule.
Busy at home.
Juggling the responsibilities of home and family life can be a whirlwind on its own. Creating a more active lifestyle in addition to those responsibilities is doable. Try these ideas to be more active in your busy home life.
- Plan family outings that involve physical activity. (Try hiking, cycling, or swimming.)
- Walk to school with your kids once or twice weekly instead of driving.
- If you live too far to walk to school, park a 10-minute walk away.
- Take the dog(s) for a long walk.
- Watch your favorite shows while walking/running on the treadmill.
- Search for 10-, 20-, or 30-minute exercises on YouTube.
Look to incorporate movement into the activities you already enjoy doing at home. There are plenty of ways to create an active lifestyle that fits in with your home schedule.
A busy life doesn’t have to get in the way of being active. You can create an active lifestyle that fits your busy schedule by being intentional with your planning and decisions.
At Lifestyle Medicine at Galen, we focus on addressing our patient’s needs and creating a tailored care plan that best suits their needs. We’re here to support you in becoming the healthiest version of yourself.
