Part of creating the right work/life balance in your life is creating balance in all areas of your life – emotional, spiritual, and physical. This post is just a quick reminder that being physically active is good for you in general, and the best way to be physically active is to find an exercise you love.

There has been immense amounts of research done that proves when people work out regularly they are happier, healthier, less stressed, and have better self-image.* (*And no, I don’t actually have specific sources for this, but everyone knows this is true I think) So why doesn’t everyone just exercise more?

Because for so many people exercising is a horrible experience. But here’s the thing – it doesn’t have to be.

There are an endless variety of ways to get your blood pumping and your body moving. You need to find a way to workout that you enjoy. You need to find what works for you! Only then will you be willing, and even excited, to exercise consistently.

In his great free ebook, Sustainable Fitness, Blair McHaney writes,

You need to feel like there is more to the exercise than just the exercise. You want to be able to look forward to this as much as possible. Here we are looking for two things – fun and peace of mind.

For me the answer is running. I love to run. If I’m ever feeling stressed out after a long day of work a few miles on the trail will unknot all the tightness in my shoulders. Running is a meditation, an escape, a peaceful solitude.

My wife thought I was crazy – how could anyone actually enjoy exercising? She had tried running and working out at the gym and thought of working out only as a negative thing. Then she found swimming. Now she can’t wait to get to the lap pool, and has even cut out other activities she doesn’t enjoy as much so she can have time to swim.

It doesn’t matter what it is – just find the exercise that you love and do it!

Take it Outside

If possible, take your exercise outside. Doing what you love only gets better when you are in nature as well.

When you find the exercise you love you get to reap the rewards of fitness: being happier, healthier, having more energy and being less stressed.

Do this now:

If you already know of an exercise you love commit to doing it 3 times next week. If you don’t have an exercise you love – make a list of 3 you’d like to try and give each one a shot over the next 3 weeks.

Grab the Wallpaper:

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Or, read one of these:

1. Find a Non-Work-Related Hobby
2. The 2011 Apt Design Ebook – Creating Work/Life Balance
3. 1 Simple Way to Love Your Job More

Don’t read this post. Instead, think of the closest access you have to outside and get there as quickly as possible. Winter is approaching quickly so now is your chance to get out before dark.  Take a break from work and get outside!

If you only have two minutes just take a deep breath and look at the sky. If you’ve got five minutes take a quick walk and try to notice something in the natural world around your office. If you have some more time try going for a walk somewhere new.

Reading blogs to learn about new things, find out how to be better at your job or grow your business is very important. But so is enjoying what you already have around you all the time – free!

Speaking of which, why are you still reading this? Go outside!

One year in 40 seconds from Eirik Solheim on Vimeo.

Or, read one of these:

1. Guest Blog Post on Creating a Healthy Work/Life Balance