The large majority of individuals in the US work an average of 40 to 60 hours a week. Some of us have full-time jobs. At the same time, there are those of us who split our time between two or more jobs. When you find yourself consumed by work, it is hard to work out and take care of your body and mind. However, it is necessary to move your body to have a healthier lifestyle. That is why so many of us are trying to find a balance between working and exercising.
The numbers
It is true that when we are talking about specific topics, it is easier to help people understand the situation by presenting statistics and numbers to show what is going on. When it comes to the balance between working and exercising, plenty of studies have been done to understand people’s habits.
A study from 2018 shows 21% of our waking hours over a 76-year lifespan are spent working. This means not a lot of time is free to exercise or practice a sport. However, these experts suggest adding 150 minutes of physical activity per week. That should give you a balance between working and exercising.
Following this same line of thought, the US Department of Health and Human Services’ Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommends at least 150 to 300 minutes of cardio plus two strength training workouts per week. Keeping this in mind, only 23.2% of adults meet these guidelines. In comparison, 33.2% of adults over the age of 20 were told to increase their physical activity.
It is challenging to stay on top of your exercise routine and goals when you have to work a certain amount of hours in order to make an income that will allow you to pay your bills, keep a roof over your head, and buy groceries. Not everyone can find the time or energy to exercise 150 to 300 minutes per week.
The reality
Like most Americans, I work two jobs. I have a full-time job that takes 40 hours of my week, while my part-time job takes anywhere from 19 to 32 hours per week. Exercising used to be a priority in my life. There was a time when I would go to the gym seven days a week for an hour to an hour and a half every day. But adulthood got in my way.
As I started working both jobs, it was hard for me to find the energy or the time to go to the gym. I began by doing workouts at home, but I got bored very quickly. So, I decided to join the gym again but could not fit my training into my routine. At first, I would go after work and be at the gym by midnight, staying up until 1 AM or later. That was not working for me. I found myself unmotivated, so I changed plans. I started waking up at 6.30 AM and making it to the gym by 7 AM.
Nowadays, that is what works best for me. However, there are days in which it is still hard to muster the energy to get in my car and drive to the gym. Working long days takes a toll on my body and mind. Finding the balance between working and exercising would be the best option to lead the healthiest life possible.
Finding balance
Working can take up most of our day, leaving us tired to do anything else afterward. Nevertheless, it is vital to make the time to take care of our bodies. Exercising is excellent for your physical and mental health, so practicing a sport or working out can be highly beneficial. It is essential to find a balance between working and exercising.