Busy, Tired & Overwhelmed? Why Moving Your Body Might Be the Answer
- Camille Meskill
- Dec 1
- 4 min read
Modern life can be hectic, even at the best of times; between trying to juggle work, family, home life, and day-to-day responsibilities, we’re often left exhausted at the end of each day.
In fact, a survey found that 47% of women reported not engaging in any vigorous exercise in the last 12 months. With so many women finding it difficult to make time to exercise, let alone find the energy, what can be done?
In this blog, I’ll share practical ways to stay active without adding stress to your busy schedule, and how She’s Different supports you with realistic, flexible workouts that revitalise your body and mind.
Why Exercise Feels Impossible When You’re Busy
Everyone’s lives look different; however, whether you’re a single mum, career woman, student, or somewhere in between, it can be challenging for women to find the motivation and time to exercise.
This is in part due to women often carrying a bigger ‘mental load’, such as being responsible for domestic management and emotional work, meaning women are typically put in charge of everyone else’s schedules, not just their own.
Other common barriers include:
Low energy
Guilt
Unpredictability
Commitment
Energy
Time
However, fitness doesn’t need to be daunting; a popular misconception is that workouts must be hour-long sessions in the gym to be meaningful and impactful, and that anything less is a waste of time. This simply isn’t true.
Fitness can fit around your real-life commitments and can support your goals, energy levels, and schedule.
Can Not Exercising Make You Tired?
But why would you want to make time to exercise if your schedule is already packed with other activities and responsibilities? Well, not exercising can actually make you more tired!
Living what’s known as a ‘sedentary lifestyle’ can have long-term effects on your health, such as muscle weakness, poor cardiovascular health, and persistent fatigue.
Whereas having an active lifestyle boosts endorphins in your body, helping with your self-esteem, mood, sleep quality, and energy.
It’s hard to motivate ourselves when we’re already tired from a difficult day or week, but remember, when you’re tired, rest matters, but movement can recharge your spirit.
How to Exercise When Busy & Tired
Here are some gentle exercises and movements you can do on your low-energy days:
The benefit of these exercises is that you can control the intensity and adjust the movement to either push yourself on a good day or be kind to yourself during a difficult period.
If you’re getting back into fitness or want to become more active, it’s important to allow yourself recovery days, especially when you first start. Your body won’t be used to this new activity, so make sure to listen to it and take breaks when needed.
And don’t forget to celebrate your wins; pushing yourself to exercise on a day when you’re feeling tired is an incredible achievement. At She’s Different, we celebrate consistency, not perfection.
How to Fit Exercise Into a Busy Schedule
1. Schedule Movement
Just like a meeting, schedule 15-20 minutes of your preferred exercise into your daily routine. Whether it’s in the morning, afternoon, or evening, you can pick times and days that work best for your schedule, responsibilities, and energy levels.
2. Stack Habits
If you already have a solid routine and are struggling to find free time to fit in a workout, try stacking your habits. For example, you could stretch while watching TV or go for a walk while taking calls, any combination that helps you move your body.
3. Prioritise Quality
People tend to think the more you exercise, the more effective it will be. However, quality over quantity is much more impactful. Short, focused sessions allow you to put 100% into the activity, making the exercise much more meaningful and enjoyable.
4. Find Accountability
For those days when you’re struggling to find the motivation to move, a workout partner or personal trainer is really beneficial. They can help you to stay on track by reminding you of your goal and the reason for doing it, ensuring you stay consistent and healthy.
How She’s Different Supports Busy Women
A personal trainer not only helps you to stay accountable, but they can also support you with all the other steps you need to take to ensure you’re consistent and working to a tailored plan that suits you and your lifestyle.
At She’s Different, I offer a Personal Training for Women service designed with real women in mind, providing a range of in-person classes with empathetic coaching that focuses on energy, not exhaustion.
Or if you’re good at self-motivation and holding yourself accountable when it comes to achieving your goals, I also design bespoke programs which can be completed at home. After an initial consultation, I assess your needs and capabilities and create the perfect 8-12 week program for you.
If you’re ready to feel energised, confident, and supported, even with your busy schedule, explore our Personal Training for Women and discover how fitness can fit you.
Comments