Life

The One Workout To Do During Your Lunch Break

by Sadie Trombetta
woman, working out
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One of the biggest excuses people, myself included, give for not working out is their crazy schedule. Between work, school, family, social obligations, and the million other things we have going on during any given day, it's no wonder why people might feel like they don't have time to exercise, but no matter how busy you feel, there is one workout you should do during your lunch break. Instead of chowing down on take-out or running errands during your precious midday break, use the time to do some yoga instead. Your body and crazy schedule will thank you for it.

Now, I know what you're thinking: Workout during my lunch break, are you serious? That's time for eating or micro napping or getting the to-dos checked off the list, not for getting sweaty, but there's no better way to spend that time off than with a quick yoga session. It's a low-intensity exercise that will stretch your body and work your muscles without making you too sweaty. You won't have to worry about showering before going back to your desk — just a quick freshening up should do the trick.

Yoga is also one of the simplest workouts to do. There is no special equipment, save for a yoga mat, and you don't need too much space to do it. Since you only have an hour or less for your lunch break, it might seem impossible to make it to a class and back in time for your 1 p.m. meeting, but yoga is an exercise you can do anywhere, with anyone, even if that means doing yoga poses at your desk by yourself.

Convenience isn't the only reason you should think about doing yoga during your lunch break, though. There are some incredible health benefits, too. Since so many jobs require you to be at a desk in front of a computer, chances are you spend most of your work day sitting down. If this is a daily work requirement, then your body and mind are suffering. Sitting regularly for long periods of time not only weakens leg and butt muscles, but it can also put a considerable amount of stress on your back and spine, causing pain and limited flexibility, poor circulation, and it even makes your mind less sharp. Luckily, yoga is the perfect answer to all of those problems, and there are simple poses people who sit all day can do to help relieve some of the discomfort.

According to the Mayo Clinic, yoga is also a great exercise for fighting stress and improving your overall fitness. When you're dealing with a crazy day at work filled with meetings, deadlines, and a to-do list a mile long, taking your lunch break to work some of that out isn't the worst idea. Doing yoga during your lunch break can help you get rid of the typical stress and anxiety of the workday while enhancing your mood and improving your overall sense of well-being. When you come back for the second half of your day, you'll feel centered, relaxed, and ready to take on the rest of your workday like the boss lady you are.

From increasing your pain tolerance to helping you deal with toxic people, there are so many surprising reasons to try yoga, including the fact that it is the perfect workout to try during lunch. If you want to improve your flexibility, strengthen your body, and find peace of mind, don't worry — you can do it all on your lunch break with yoga.

For more ideas, check out Bustle on YouTube.

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