Why 10-Minute Workouts Are Great

Exercise. Everyone agrees that it’s great for you – on both a physical and emotional level. And yet, when push comes to shove, it’s often the first thing to go when we find ourselves swamped with the responsibilities of our everyday lives. Working, taking care of kids, and socializing – all tend to trump exercise on our list of priorities.

One of the reasons that this happens is because we feel like we have to clear a big chunk of time out of our schedules in order to get in a good, sweat-inducing workout. But this is not necessarily the case – while 30-60 minute workouts are beneficial, even 10 minute workouts can help you stay fit.

So what can we do to incorporate at least 10 minutes of exercise into our daily routines? Here are some ideas:

Combine Exercise With Socializing

Socializing is important. After all, if we don’t take time to maintain our relationships, they will fade away. On the other hand, if we don’t exercise, our health can fade away. So why not combine the two – socializing and exercise? Schedule daily runs with friends, sign up for a gym membership with a buddy (you might even get a discount), or go to a weekly dance class together.

Exercise While You Watch Television

We all need to kick back and relax at the end of a long day. For many of us, that can mean binge watching the latest Netflix series, or just sitting in front of the television and zoning out for half an hour. Instead of remaining immobile during screen downtime, now is a great opportunity to hop on a treadmill or stationary bike. You have entertainment right in front of you, so the time will pass quickly, and exercise can also help you sleep better, which will give you more energy for the next day.

Wake Up 10 Minutes Early

We know, we know – in the morning, every extra minute of sleep is valuable. And yet – if we want to make exercise a priority, 10 minutes really isn’t that much. Whether it’s an energizing yoga routine, a quick YouTube video to get your heart pumping, or a few rounds around the block, exercising in the morning is a great way to start your day.

Exercise With Your Kids

Just as you can combine socializing and exercising, you can also combine spending time with your kids and exercising. You might not be able to take them to the gym with you, but having a dance party for 10 minutes or playing basketball outside can be a great workout for you and for them – plus, it’s fun!

Walk to work

If you live within a reasonable distance to work, consider walking or biking there instead of taking the bus or driving. Alternatively, if both directions is hard to manage, consider at least walking or biking in one direction.

Utilize your lunch break

We’re not telling you to skip lunch, but let’s face it – how long does it really take to eat? Probably 10 minutes. You can use the rest of your hour to head to a gym nearby, or walk briskly outside for a half-hour. If you usually eat lunch with co-workers and don’t want to miss out on socializing, you can either invite them along with you, or eat with them 2-3 times a week instead of 5 times a week. This way, you’ll accomplish both the exercise and socializing with coworkers.

Pitch an employee wellness program in your workplace

Employee wellness programs are the latest in employee benefits, with companies realizing that if their employees are healthy, they’ll be better workers. Use this to your advantage, and pitch a wellness program that includes exercise. The advantage is that this exercise can happen on company time, which means that you don’t have to worry about missing work in order to stay fit.

The hardest part is starting

No one said that creating a time for exercise is easy, but everyone can agree that it’s worth it. The hardest part is getting into the mindset of making time to exercise – but once you do it a few times, it will turn into habit and you won’t have to think about it. And instead of regretting each day that goes by without exercise, you will feel great about yourself and your commitment to your health.