Do You Have a Few Minutes for Exercise?
By Tom Herrin
It may seem like everyone wants to begin a new exercise program. Tomorrow is often the best day. This may be because they don't have the drive to make it happen today, or it may be due to the fact that they just feel that they cannot create enough time to do it well. While anything worth doing does require time and commitment in order for it to be a successful endeavor, there are some things that may help to accomplish the overall purpose in less time. Exercise is one of those things that people may feel they need lots of time to do, but it may be done with a minimal amount of time. Five or 10 minutes may be sufficient to do a good job.
Try a Stationary Bike
For those in need of compacting their time into small segments, riding an exercise bike can be a pretty good option. A great thing is that it can be done at home without getting out in the elements at all. It can also be squeezed in between a few more demanding activities in order to provide a reasonably good workout. According to a Japanese study, people who rode just 10 minutes per day were happier and capable of performing well in activities that require good mental function. Mind and body can be a good match.
Runners May Trim Times and Still Have Good Results
Many people run because they enjoy it, and it makes them feel good. For those who are trying to save time while reaping the benefits of exercise, running for as few as seven minutes per day may boost health and protect them from some problems. One study from the Journal of the American College of Cardiology indicated that those who run for as little as seven minutes per day may reduce their odds of dying of heart disease as much as 45 percent. That sounds like good results for those few minutes.
Make a Good Decision Early
When you want to get the most out of your time, making decisions ahead of time may help to make it all more productive. Most of us are in a crunch to get in everything we need in a given amount of time. When we plan ahead, we can do a little better job of making the most of the time we have available. If we can manage these short workouts, we can also help to relieve some of that daily stress while we improve our overall conditioning. We may not become bodybuilders, but we can be healthier.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Parker, Colo.