Time for a change?

Feeling time poor? A simple shift in your psychology will give you more hours in the day to exercise, says Ruby Deevoy

- Ruby Deevoy

You'll well know that once you get a workout in, everything feels better. You're more productive, your mood is lifted and the day seems to run a little more smoothly. But there are days, particularly when you've fallen out of the habit of regular exercise, when it just feels there isn't enough time; work piles up, other responsibilities take over and soon you're left feeling drained and wondering how you ever managed to squeeze in a run, let alone get down the gym!

This is what's known as feeling "time poor" - something many people feel is an obstacle to getting fit and doing anything else that isn't an urgent priority. As a result, one-third of the world's population aged 15 years and above engages in insufficient physical activities. Consequently, associated health problems are on the rise. In fact, physical inactivity accounts for six per cent of all global mortality.

But it turns out that, for most of us, not having enough time really is all in the mind and it can be remedied with a few simple lifestyle changes.

GETTING ORGANISED

It might seem hard to believe, but studies have shown that time management styles make all the difference: being "reactive" makes you feel less in control of your day and, therefore, leaves you feeling as though you have less time, whereas a more "active" style of time management, i.e. scheduling and structuring your days, allows you to feel in control of your time and accomplish more.

'When you don't plan your week, it can feel as though there are too many moving parts to handle. Scheduling the week offers so much clarity, particularly if you write it down,' says personal trainer Katie Quinn (@ktcoaching1).