Now that you've decided to go back to work, life is going to change in a big way.

On top of being excited to re-enter the workforce, I'm sure you're also wondering how you're going to keep home life ticking along as usual - from school pick-ups to planning food for the family, to spending quality time with those you love. I'm sure you can feel your blood pressure rising just thinking about how you'll manage with all of this new stress. 

Stress is one of those sneaky feelings that at first, it feels like an adrenaline rush.  Your brain is alert; you're full of energy, you're producing results and feeling great. But slowly, constant stress can turn into negative, and the result is that we sleep less. We can't relax and sometimes develop anxiety and depression. There is no need to panic; experiencing stress from life's demands is only natural.

Luckily, there is a natural solution to make you feel more balanced throughout your busy day. 

Exercise.

I get the conundrum - you need time to exercise, but you're stressed because you don't have the time. However, finding the time to be active doesn't need to be so daunting.

Read on to discover the benefits of including exercise into your daily routine, and uncover how you can accomplish this by making small changes to your day. 

1) Keeps you Energetic

It's tempting to stave off fatigue by grabbing another cup of coffee or a sugary sweet to boost our energy levels. A better alternative is to make some time during your day for some low-intensity exercise. Exercise releases feel-good hormones such as dopamine and norepinephrine, which leave us feeling happier and more energetic throughout the day. 

2) Improves Sleep

If you're looking for a natural way to improve your sleep patterns, exercising even just 10-20 minutes a day on a regular basis will allow you to hit the sheets and wake up more refreshed the next morning. 

3) Combats Stress

Exercise counters "fight or flight" hormones associated with stress and anxiety, such as adrenaline and cortisol. Exercise, of any type, can be considered a form of "muscular meditation," or "meditation in motion," where activities such as walking, swimming, even weight lifting, can ease your mind into a state of relaxation.

4) Keeps You Fitter, for Longer

Aging causes our bodies to lose the ability to maintain muscle mass. As we age, women are at risk of developing osteoporosis, a bone density disease that weakens our bones. Strength training and regular exercise help encourage bone growth and stave off this from happening - so we get to enjoy a longer, more mobile life.

So how will you fit this into your busy schedule?

I'm a big fan of making small changes, which over time turn into significant results.

Start by choosing an activity that you love to do. It doesn't have to be a long and exhausting session; it can be for short durations as little as 10-15 minutes, a 2-3x a day.

It can be chasing after your kids at the park or going for a swim. You can join a group fitness class, or go for a walk. You can take the stairs in every building you come across, or get off the bus a few stops early to walk the rest of the way into work. 

As you start finding ways to add in little bit of exercise to your daily life, soon you'll realize you can't live without activity. Any small change adds up to a big positive one - the choice is yours, and the options are endless!

As a woman on a break, we understand your need for self-development before you get back into the workforce. Being physically fit is a great way to ease your mind into the routine you want to set with a full-time job.

Sign up RIGHT HERE to start your career journey, or to get back to it with renewed confidence, and a healthy body and mind!

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