Exercising to Physical Wellness

If there is one commodity everyone wants more of, it’s time. With each passing year, it seems we have less time to ourselves as more and more time is spent working and taking care of basic daily business. We are on the go so much that setting time aside to exercise may seem indulgent. But in fact, as our rising stress levels and expanding waistlines attest, we need exercise now more than ever.

The excuse that we don’t have time to exercise is just that – an excuse. The truth is, we make time for what we need or want to make time for. And it may sound counter-intuitive but expending energy working out gives you more energy for the rest of the day. So exercising will actually help you get your work done more quickly and efficiently.

Over the last few years, there have been contradictory reports published about how much exercise is effective. The bottom line is, every little bit is valuable. You don’t need to train like an Olympic athlete to reap benefits. If you are someone who has never exercised or who hasn’t exercised in a long time, nobody is suggesting you start taking step class tomorrow.

For most people, the best time of day to work out is in the morning. Study after study shows that people who exercise in the morning are much more likely to stick with it. As the day wears on, distractions pile up and people find more reasons to skip their daily exercise.

Start slow with a 10 or 15-minute walk. If you have a dog, take them with you for company. Better yet, get a “walking buddy.” People who exercise with a companion also tend to stick to it better. On the other hand, some people enjoy the solitude of a morning walk and use it as a quiet time to think or meditate. Similarly, many people like to exercise listening to music; others prefer to be alone with their thoughts. The key is to find what works best for you so if you prefer a treadmill, then do that.

A good goal is to get at least a half-hour of exercise a day. And the good news is, it doesn’t have to happen all at once. You get just as much health benefit from three 10 minute walks and you do a 30-minute walk. Make sure to take different routes so the walk doesn’t get boring.

In a very short time, your body will adapt and will actually crave exercise. As this happens, increase your pace so you cover more ground. Incorporate new activities, such as riding a bike or swimming.  On the weekends, be adventurous and go on a hike. Being outdoors can be therapeutic in itself.  In addition to fostering a better mental and emotional outlook, one other side benefit of physical wellness is that you may lose a few pounds as well. So any way you look at it, it’s a win-win-win situation.