Staying Healthy with a Busy Lifestyle

It can be tough to stay healthy when you have a busy lifestyle. Between work, family and social obligations, there never seems to be enough hours in the day to fit in a workout or balanced meal. But, with a little organization and planning, it is possible to maintain a healthy lifestyle— even when you're on the go. Below are a few tips to get you started.

Benefits of Staying Healthy

There are many benefits to staying healthy despite a hectic schedule. For one, eating nutritious foods and exercising regularly can help boost energy levels. This is essential for anyone who has a lot on their plate, as it can help them stay focused and accomplish more throughout the day. Additionally, staying healthy improves mood and overall wellbeing. When we feel good physically, it is often easier to maintain a positive outlook on life. Finally, taking care of our health can help prevent illness and disease. Although it may seem like a lot of work, investing in our health is always worth the time and effort.

Fitting in Exercise

Staying fit on a tight schedule has always been a challenge. Here are a few impactful exercises that won’t take up a bunch of extra time:

• Compound exercise– This form uses multiple muscle groups at the same time to perform a movement, giving you more bang for your buck in terms of both time and effort. The best examples of these exercises are lunges, pushups and pullups. If you are looking to improve your overall strength via an efficient and functional workout, taking advantage of compound exercises will certainly provide what you need.
• Interval training– This is a great way to maximize the benefits of your workout. It is meant to be tough but quick, so you can work harder without working longer. According to recent research, interval training— which alternates periods of high-intensity activity with low-intensity recovery periods— improves fitness and burns more calories in a shorter period than steady-state cardio.
  
  Interval training can be used by beginners, intermediates and well-conditioned athletes at all levels of fitness. It increases the chance for increased exposure to more intensive training without causing over-tiredness. The body responds to intense repetition by adapting to the new method. Read on for examples of interval training.

A big part of staying healthy while dealing with a hectic schedule is fitting exercise into your everyday routine. Taking the stairs instead of the elevator, parking far from the entrance or going for a walk on your lunchbreak are simple ways to sneak in some extra activity. Though they seem like insignificant steps, they truly add up throughout the day.

Restoring Your Body and Mind

When you’re busy, it’s easy to steal time earmarked for sleep to complete other tasks. Whether you're working long hours, caring for a family or juggling both, it's easy to sacrifice sleep to get everything done. However, skimping on rest can have serious consequences for your health. Lack of sleep can lead to impaired judgment and memory problems, and it can increase your risk of developing chronic diseases such as obesity, heart disease and diabetes. It's also been linked to depression and anxiety. So, how can you stay healthy with a busy lifestyle? One key is to make sure you're getting enough quality sleep. Aim for seven to eight hours per night, and create a bedtime routine to help you wind down and relax before drifting off.

It is also beneficial to avoid unnecessary stress. Of course, that is easier said than done. Stress is a part of everyday life. However, when left unchecked, it can lead to serious health problems. It’s important to find a balance between being busy and becoming overwhelmed. Just be sure to schedule time for relaxation and fun activities so you don’t get burned out. With a little effort, you can easily keep stress at bay and live a healthy, happy life

Articles in this newsletter are meant to be informative, enlightening and helpful to you. While all information contained herein is meant to be completely factual, it is always subject to change. Articles are not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Consult your doctor before starting any exercise program. Benefits may not be available in all membership levels. For more information, or to upgrade your membership, please call 800.387.9027.