12 Easy Ways To Get More Of The Exercise You Need

When you suffer with anxiety, exercise can significantly improve your outlook. The trouble is, we don’t always do it. Why? Most of us have no trouble coming up with excuses for spending the time lying on the couch instead of moving. One reason people often give is that they don’t have the time/money to go to the gym. My response: When it comes to exercising for your mood, you don’t need a gym, you don’t need money, and you don’t even need a lot of time.

Here are 12 ways to get more of that anxiety-decreasing exercise. You don’t need to do all 12. In fact, you could probably do with 1 or 2, as long as you stick to them.

1. Take a walk when you’re stressed or overwhelmed at work.
2. Take a walk when you’re bored at work.
3. Take a walk when you’re angry at your boyfriend/girlfriend/spouse/parents/etc.
4. Take a walk on your lunch break.
5. Take a walk as a way of procrastinating (just don’t do this too often) side-benefit: you might feel like you’re ready to give it a shot when you get back.
6. Walk, instead of driving, to do nearby errands.
7. Park farther from work and walk (if you explore, you might even find free parking).
8. Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
9. Clean your home more regularly (side benefit: more organized, less stress-producing environment).
10. Start meeting friends for walks instead of meeting friends for drinks.
11. Explore somewhere you haven’t been in your neighborhood or near work.
12. Take up a hobby like gardening or golf, where exercise is the side-benefit instead of the goal.

Pick your favorites and try them out. If you can’t decide, try #1 to start (we’ve all been there…).