Most people prefer to workout in the morning or in the evening. But there’s something to be said for using your lunch hour to squeeze in a quick, yet effective workout. Are you willing to give it a try for a couple of weeks?
5 perks of the midday workout
If you’re like most, time is perceived as the biggest factor working against your fitness regimen. If you had unlimited hours in the day, you could easily fit a 30-minute to hour-long workout into your schedule without considerable fuss. But alas, there are only 24 hours in each day – and you spend most of those prioritizing your work and personal life.
The key to developing a consistent exercise routine is to schedule your workout in advance. You may find your midday lunch break to be the most convenient time slot.
Beyond convenience, a midday workout yields an array of wellness benefits. Here are a few of the top perks.
1. De-stress
Folding under the burden of chronic business-related stress and performance anxiety is not uncommon. A quick exercise routine in the middle of the day can produce some remarkable changes in your body.
According to Harvard Medical School, exercise “has a unique capacity to exhilarate and relax, to provide stimulation and calm, to counter depression and dissipate stress. It’s a common experience among endurance athletes and has been verified in clinical trials that have successfully used exercise to treat anxiety disorders and clinical depression. If athletes and patients can derive psychological benefits from exercise, so can you.”
Whether you’re nervous about an investor presentation or feel the pressure of an imminent client deadline, a quick 30 or 45-minute midday workout can be surprisingly therapeutic and rejuvenating.
2. Relieve tension and pain
Exercise is clinically proven to relieve muscle and joint tension and even reduce the severity of chronic pain. If you sit at a desk all day or perform repetitive manual tasks, a midday workout will become a welcome relief. For best results, try a combination of cardio, stretching, and strength exercises. If certain areas of your body are particularly tight, address them with targeted workouts.
3. Free up evenings
Perpetually working until early evening and remembering you need to get a workout in is not ideal. By the time you get home, shower, and eat, it’s already late into the evening. What kind of life is that?
By working out during the middle of the day, you free up your evenings to pursue life priorities, hobbies, or time with family and friends. Whether you enjoy binge-watching Netflix or grabbing dinner with friends, you’re able to do more of what you love without sacrificing your physical fitness.
4. Boost confidence and body positivity
Your lunch hour provides a unique opportunity to throw on something comfortable. Meanwhile, you can improve your confidence and embrace a body-positive mindset by choosing the right gear.
Exercise reminds us to love our bodies. For an added confidence boost, wear your favorite athletic wear in the latest styles that blend style, comfort, and confidence, like Bombshell Sportswear’s new designs.
Once you finish a midday workout, you’ll return to the office with more confidence and higher self-esteem after conquering a small, but mighty, wellness goal in gear that helps you feel confident in the pursuit of wellness.
5. Beat the crowds
The after-work gym rush hour is frustrating. You have to fight for machines, wait in line, and waste time with pointless small talk. A midday workout prevents all of this. Fewer people are at the gym, and the classes are less crowded, which gives you the freedom to do what you want.
As health and wellness blogger Kaylee Hammonds says, “[There is] no one to see me huff and puff and generally be out of shape. And my gym offers classes at noon, so suddenly doing something out of my comfort zone—like Zumba—became an option.”
It’s empowering to know you’re working hard when everyone else is relaxing. It shifts your mindset from mediocre to magnificent. Try it out and see the difference.
Make the most of your midday workout
If you want your midday workout to be as effective as possible, plan your week accordingly. Add your workout to your calendar (as you would any other appointment) and let people know you’ll be out of the office during this time.
Next, pack a gym bag with all of the items you need to clean up and refresh after your workout. This may include a toothbrush and toothpaste, makeup, deodorant, dry shampoo, body wipes, lip balm, fragrance, brushes, lotion, and any other cosmetics or toiletries you need.
Also, don’t skip out on lunch. You need to refuel after your workout. Even if it’s just a handful of nuts, an apple, and some sort of energy bar, pack a snack or lunch that you can easily eat on the way back to the office.
Finally, be careful with what you schedule immediately after your lunch break. If at all possible, try to schedule simple tasks that can be performed at your desk. This allows you to ease back into your workday without any adverse effects.
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