Let’s face it, not everyone enjoys exercise. Even those that love it have times when they just don’t fancy it, or struggle to find motivation. But, staying fit and exercising is incredibly important. Exercise helps boost your circulation, improve your posture, and fight off depression. It reduces the risk of heart disease, helps you maintain a healthy weight, or lose weight, and can improve your confidence. In short, exercise is great.
When we’re busy working or studying, perhaps for a health communication degree, it’s often hard to fit exercise in. However, as you will know if you do study health communication, or any other health course, exercise is unbelievably important. Here are some great exercises for those that hate the idea of going for a run or joining a gym.
Walking
Walking is one of the easiest ways to fit exercise into your day to day life. Going for long, challenging walks and hikes is fantastic. However, even short walks, where you wouldn’t usually, can make a big difference. Walk to work or school instead of catching a bus or driving. Take the stairs instead of the elevator, and choose to walk longer routes where you can. Invest in a fitness tracker; you’ll be amazed at the different these few changes to your day can make.
Dancing
Dancing is great fun, and a brilliant work out. There are a huge range of different dance classes available if you want to learn properly. If not, dance around the house with the kids. This might not feel like much, but do it often enough and your fitness levels will increase.
Roller Derby
Roller derby has grown in popularity all over the world in recent years. Join your local roller derby team, or start your own. You could even join a league. If you don’t fancy such a high impact sport, other team games can also be great exercise, fun, and a fantastic way of making new friends. Some of the best are netball, hockey and soccer.
Climbing
Rock climbing is another sport that has grown in popularity, with indoor climbing walls and centers opening everywhere. Climbing gives your arms and back a tremendous work out, and is a wonderful way to improve your all-over strength. You can even practice your grip strength at home using hangboards.
LARPing
LARPing, or live action role play, is another excellent way of getting out there and meeting new people. LARPers don’t just take part in combat events; they also spend time training with weaponry and practicing combat techniques. It can be an intense, and regular, full body work out, as well as an interesting hobby.
Golf
Golf is a sport that often doesn’t feel like exercise. It can be incredibly social walking around the course with your friends, or fellow club members.
Housework
Cleaning the house is a surprisingly effective workout. The more effort you put in, the better the work out. So, get scrubbing. Turn some music on and dance around while you’re doing it.
Teamed with a healthy diet and plenty of sleep, exercise will help you stay fit and healthy into old age.