Physical Activities That Can Be Done on your Extra Time

Working a nine to five leaves little room and energy for physical activity. With our days consumed with work, it’s hard to commit at least two hours a few days a week to get in shape because we always lose track of time (this problem can easily be solved with any omega watch.) 

Luckily for us, there are little things we can do in between meetings and during weekends. Optimize your health and squeeze in these micro-workouts and see how it can change your life!

1. Take the stairs

A long line for the elevator can be such a nuisance, but if you’re only going up a few floors, skip the line and take the stairs to give your leg muscles some definition. 

Climbing stairs actually burns more calories per minute than jogging, so if you can’t seem to get into the running habit, try the alternative of taking the stairs! It’s easier to integrate into your life and reduces cardio risk by up to 30%.

2. Organize your house

If you want to feel productive during the weekend but aren’t up for any strenuous activity, you can spark joy by organizing your house. There are many ways to go about this, but the New York Times’ bestselling author Marie Kondo has a world-renowned method of tidying up. 

It’s so effective that you can organize a space in one sitting and never have to do it again! How’s that for a productive weekend?

3. Go for a walk 

Appreciate the view and breathe in the fresh air by taking a walk in your spare time. You can simply go around the block or walk across town if you feel like it. What matters is you get your body moving to improve blood flow.

Walking can be such a therapeutic way to pass time that it can uplift a sour mood and further boost your energy.

4. Get off one station ahead and walk the rest of the way

If the store you’re planning to visit is still closed or you find yourself way too early for your lunch appointment, get off one station ahead and walk the rest of the way.

Not only will it save you the awkwardness of idly waiting for your agreed time and staring at your omega watch nonstop, you just might stumble upon a new favorite while walking around town. Just as the saying goes, "It's not about the destination; it's about the journey.”

5. Do your errands

Errands can be the one thing that ruins your otherwise peaceful weekend. No one wants to spend an entire day going to the bank and picking up laundry, so try to do them in short spurts throughout the week on your way home or during your lunch break (provided that you’ll make it back in time.)

Being productive decreases idle time and keeps you healthy because you’re constantly moving. It also paints your errands in a new light--rather than a mood-killer for the weekend, it’s now a productive activity you can do to pass time.

6. Learn a martial art

You can never be too safe in today’s world. You might not be looking for trouble, but trouble can come looking for you. All it takes is being in the wrong place at the wrong time and you can jeopardize your life. 

It won’t hurt to dedicate a few hours of your weekend to learning a martial art to provide a sense of security. Aside from living an active physical lifestyle (martial arts contain a great amount of physical activity), learning a martial art can also improve your mental health. 

Martial arts promote self-discipline and provide an outlet for you to release frustrations, which significantly reduces your stress levels.

With these physical activities that you can easily integrate into your everyday life, you’ll never have to worry about dead time! 

Author Bio

Nikki Yap is a passionate writer for books, travel, and lifestyle. She currently lives in Manila, Philippines.