Exercise is important because it has a profound effect on your health; it helps to regulate blood sugar and blood pressure, stabilises body weight, helps you sleep better at night, gets rid of depression, improves bowel function and mental clarity.

For busy people, however, time is precious and it is difficult to find time to exercise regularly. These tips may help:

    • Make exercising part of your routine. Enter it into you diary.
    • Exercise at a time that suits you best. A brisk walk or easy jog in the morning relieves stress, and gives you time to yourself to think and enjoy nature. Evening runs are great too, especially as the sun goes down. Alternatives are cycling and swimming.
    • You don’t have to exercise in a gym. Find a form of exercise you will enjoy doing regularly. Many different things count as exercise. Why not try dancing, walking, gardening or a game of tennis? Choose whatever gets you moving, even taking the dog for a walk.
    • Exercise with a friend. Having a workout partner can help keep you on track and motivate you to get up and go.
    • Do at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity on most days of the week. If you’re short on time, break up your fitness routine into small segments of 10 to 15 minutes each throughout the day. Then, when you have more time, you can schedule in more physical fitness into your routine.
    • Don’t spend your lunch time sitting. Grab a quick bite and hit the gym or go for a walk with your co-workers.
    • When you go shopping, park the car furthest from the shop entrance and briskly walk the extra distance.
    • Rather than use a lift, walk up to the next floor.
    • If you commute to work by bus or train, get off one stop earlier and walk an extra five or 10 minutes.

Remember that if you have not exercised for some time or are in ill health, you should speak to your doctor before embarking on any exercise routine.

Our Employee Wellbeing Programme (EAP) is available 24 hours a day if you want to know more.