How to Incorporate Exercise Into Your Schedule

Nobody really enjoys waking up at 5 am to get in a morning workout before a grueling day at work or school. Most of us end up hitting the snooze button a few too many times and end up postponing their gym day, I know I’ve done that countless times. However, finding time in your schedule for exercise can have positive effects on your wellness and well-being. Exercise provides you with endorphins that naturally energize you and can even give you a more positive outlook on your day.

Here are a few tips on how to prioritize exercise:

1. As hard as it may be, squeeze in a morning workout

Long hours are a common feature of the legal profession. Our schedules can often be unpredictable, but getting your exercise out of the way in the morning can make your whole day run much smoother.

Even if you can’t necessarily make it to the gym in the morning, you can always try to exercise at home. For example, you can incorporate squats into your morning routine while brushing your teeth or making coffee. You can also do a quick run around your neighborhood, which saves you time commuting to the gym.

2. Try to get some exercise during your lunch break

By the time we get a lunch break, we’ve probably spent most of the morning and afternoon sitting down. A few quick exercises in your office can help get your blood pumping and get you past that mid-afternoon energy slump.

If you’d rather get some fresh air, a 15-20-minute walk is also a great exercise. I typically do this every few hours while I’m studying in order to mix up my routine and try to relax my mind. If possible, instead of the elevator, try to take the stairs as much as you can.

3. Stay hydrated!

When you exercise you exert tons of energy and water is vital to preventing exhaustion and injury. Dehydration can be particularly dangerous and can lead to cramping, a variety of injuries, and fatigue.

Make sure you have a dedicated water bottle that you take with you to work or school. It may also be helpful to count how much water you’ve consumed throughout the day in order to ensure that you don’t end up accidentally dehydrated!

4. Use the buddy system and exercise with a friend

It can be really difficult to remain motivated by yourself. However, if you and a friend or a coworker are trying to achieve a similar goal, you can keep each other on track. If you plan a morning run or a morning gym workout, you’ll be twice as committed if you know your friend is waking up at the same time to meet you.

To provide a tangible goal, it may also help to participate in a 5k or a half marathon. Runs like these are much more fun when you have a friend crossing the finish line with you, and you’ll have a training companion in the months leading up to the run.