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.