National Physical Fitness Month

May is National Physical Fitness Month. Though few people would dispute the importance of physical activity, many of us have trouble incorporating regular exercise into our daily lives.

If you are an entrepreneur, you know that running a business is a daunting task. You may find your to-dos piling up while edging out family time or your plans to work out. And yet, exercise is essential—particularly for those of us who operate under a lot of stress. Exercise can help keep our energy up while relieving the pressures of day-to-day life.

If you are an entrepreneur, consider the following ways to work exercise into your daily schedule:

• Ask yourself how you spend your spare time – The most common excuse for not exercising is a lack of time. Exercising for about 30 minutes a day should be enough, and 30 minutes is a mere 2 percent of your day. You might spend 30 minutes on your morning coffee or rest before or after a meeting. Why not carve out half an hour each day to do some simple exercises, regardless of where you are. It is easy to squeeze in some pushups in between meetings or some leg squats after lunch.
• Do a morning workout for a more productive day – You will be energized when you exercise in the morning, before starting your busy schedule. Physical exercise will also put your mind in the right mode to face all the challenges of the day.
• Go for a lunchtime walk without any devices – If you normally take 30 minutes to an hour for lunch, you may be able to eat quickly and use the residual time for a brisk walk or jog. Head outside but leave the phone behind so no one can interrupt you.
• Walk or bike home – If you take a train or bus home, get off one or two stops before you normally would, and walk the rest of the way. If you drive to work, consider biking instead.
• Organize physical activity at work – Spearhead work events with your colleagues or employees that include physical activity. You can run an inter-department sports competition or lunchtime intramurals.
• Exercise mentally – If there is really no way you can exercise physically, you can do a mental workout. A few minutes of meditation or a simple time-out will reset your mood and drive stress away.
• Create a culture of fitness at work and home – You can create a health-centered environment by talking to family members or employees about the benefits of being physically active.

To be as effective as possible on the job, it’s imperative to keep your body in top shape. Commit to a regimen of physical fitness at least three days a week.