How many times have you found yourself saying that you’re too busy or overwhelmed to exercise in law school? It’s likely many of you feel this way most – if not all – of the time. While it’s true that the majority of your time should be spent studying and going to class, making time to exercise is also critically important to your success in law school.
Not only will keeping your body active help you physically, but it also helps you be more mentally engaged as well. If you don’t have a lot of time (or money) to invest in hours of daily physical activity, here are six ways to exercise and survive law school at the same time.
1. The 7-Minute Workout App
Let’s face it: we all can spare seven minutes a day! The 7-Minute Workout focuses on 12 exercises that you can do in the comfort of your bedroom. All you need is your own body weight, a chair and a wall. These exercises focus on intensity, which essentially combines the need for a gym and cardio into a quick workout you can do at home. You can download the app and workout alongside your tablet or smartphone.
2. Walk a Longer Route to Class
Walking is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to get exercise into a busy schedule. Try finding a longer route from your car to class, or from class to the library. Park your car a bit farther away and give yourself extra time to walk. You can study and exercise at the same time by listening to audio recordings of your lectures or study aids. It may not seem like much, but those extra minutes really do help. Make sure to wear a decent pair of walking shoes (you can always bring along a change of shoes for class) since the last thing you need in law school is dealing with foot and leg pain!
3. Lift Weights While Watching Television
If you’re taking a break from studying to watch your favorite television show or listen to a podcast, try lifting a few weights at the same time. Buy a couple free weights at a local sporting good store, and then work out your biceps and triceps while watching a show.
4. Take the Stairs
We hear it all the time – forgo the elevator for the stairs. Take this a step further and use your break in between classes to walk up and down the stairwells of your campus buildings. This simple act may not seem like much, but over time it, the minutes of exercise will add up.
5. Look for Discounted Classes
Many gyms and fitness centers offer student discounts for cash-strapped university students. If you’ve been thinking about taking a yoga or cross-fit class, look into what’s offered around your law school campus. Ask about discounted classes or even introductory packages where you can take a few classes at a lower rate. If your law school doesn’t have a gym onsite, see if they have an affiliate relationship with a local center or university so you can use another facility at a lower cost.
6. Make It Social
Call up your classmates and give yourself a break from studying by doing something active together. Go dancing on the weekend. Grab a coffee or smoothie and take a 30-minute walk on the beach, through the city or in a local park. Your mind will appreciate the mental break while your body will be grateful for the physical exertion.
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And check out these helpful posts:
- How Being a Law Student and Functional Human Don’t Have to Be Mutually Exclusive – Take Care of Yourself
- Lessons From My 1L Year: Have Fun
- Let’s Talk About Sleep
- Can Meditation Help You be More Productive and Effective?
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