While I was in school, I worked at an upscale retail store, which required me to dress up for work. I would come home tired and sore. At first, I thought I just needed a better pair of dress shoes. I did need new shoes, but the new shoes didn’t completely solve the problem. My lack of energy and busier schedule prevented me from working out as much as I had before taking the position, and I was afraid that my health would deteriorate.

One day, as I was bustling across the store to rehang an arm full of heavy pea coats on a high rack, it hit me — I was exercising. It wasn’t a great workout, but it was a workout. Once I realized this, I was able to embrace it. I focused on the muscles I was using during each task, and in doing so, l clocked out each day knowing that I was getting healthier.

A study by a Harvard professor found that hotel housekeepers improved their health if they saw their work as exercise.

Daily life often involves some form of hidden exercise whether it is folding laundry, vacuuming, gardening, playing with the kiddos, or walking up the stairs. I encourage you to see these activities for the exercise they are, so that you can get the most out of them.

I also encourage you to complete some kind of formal workout as well. A good formal workout prepares you for these hidden exercises. Therefore, the next time life presents you with hidden exercises — the kiddos want to play!, trash day already!?, the car’s looking dirty:(, etc. — you can complete them with more ease and less chance of injury.

Thanks for reading. I hope you have a safe and healthy week.