How to Squeeze Exercise into Your Crazy College Life
We’ve all been there — days filled with classes, work, group project meetings and appointments.
After returning home exhausted, we manage to study for a couple of hours before collapsing into a deep sleep — only to wake up and do it all again the next day.
Although exercise is necessary for maintaining a healthy lifestyle (not to mention lowering stress levels), we still find ourselves staring at our agendas and scratching our heads as we try to find the time.
The first step to fighting this problem is to take a long, hard look at your daily routine. Do you spend three hours each night watching “Grey’s Anatomy” on Netflix? Don’t worry — there’s no reason to give up your downtime. Just bring your phone with you to the gym! Walk on the treadmill or take a spin on the bike while streaming your favorite episode.
But what if you are so busy that you can’t make it to the gym? Try finding 10-minute gaps in your schedule to incorporate small exercises throughout the day. Exercising for 10 minutes before you get ready for the day, after classes and before sleeping can make a huge impact. During these 10-minute stretches, go for a light jog, try a quick circuit routine or watch an exercise video on YouTube.
Depending on the number of 10-minute exercise rounds, you can easily get 30-60 minutes of exercise a day. The Mayo Clinic suggests 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity (or seventy-five minutes of vigorous aerobic activity) each week, so try making that your goal!
If you are over-committed, overworked and overly exhausted, it's easy to neglect exercise. Remember these tips when you find yourself drowning in exams, papers and other obligations.
Be well, Auburn.
Photography: Jack P.
A native of Opelika, Alabama, Taylor did not have to travel too far to attend the college of her dreams. Taylor is obsessed with anything and everything Disney, traveling, diet orange soda, and driving country roads. She has over 500 songs on her Spotify playlist and is adding to it every day. In her free time you can find her thrift shopping, binge watching Grey’s Anatomy, riding a bike, or sitting in the middle row, center seat at the movies. Her lifelong dream is to work for Disney and travel the world. She plans to visit every state and national park in the United States throughout her lifetime. Look for her someday living in Cinderella’s Castle at Magic Kingdom.
