Lately, I have been very busy. Working an extra 12 hours a week really puts a drain on free time. Yesterday, I found out I will now be working an extra 15 hours a week. While the extra money will be great, that's another 3 hours that have to be worked into my already insane schedule.
It got me thinking, where is this extra hour per day going to come from? Likely sleep. Or when I become too exhausted, it will be a skipped workout. Or procrastinated house and yard work. When it comes to my health, which is the best to cut first? So many studies have shown the importance of enough sleep, but what if getting enough sleep means not exercising?
I turned to google for an answer but found nothing definitive. Just a lot of "it depends", "make time for both" "do shorter workouts", etc. I always want things to be black and white, but they never are. I will attempt to make room for everything, but if I am exhausted when the alarm goes off at 5:00 AM for the gym, I will have no problem hitting snooze. In other words, I'll try to listen to my body.
Related links:
"Dear Greatist: Which is more important, sleep or exercise?" Greatist.com
"Ask the Celebrity Trainer: Should You Skip Sleep to Fit in a Workout?" Shape.com
"Exercise cuts the risk of cancer - but only if you get at least seven hours sleep, study finds" Mail online
What is the first thing you cut when you are very busy? exercise? sleep? housework? social life?
I think sleep is usually the first thing to go for me, although lately I've been SO tired that I've cut back on my workouts!
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking this is how things will go for me too! I'm just going to have to make sure when I do have free time (ie Saturdays and Sundays), that I defenitely get workouts in.
DeleteI usually cut housework and working out. The thing about working out though, is that I try to do things that I can get more bang for my buck. For instance, I'll do a killer 30 minute circuit training session about 3 days a week and save my long runs for the weekends when I have time!
ReplyDeleteJuggling life is SO hard. Times like these are when I jump for joy that I'm still single! Bahaha.
I know what you mean! I have no idea how I would fit a boyfriend into the equation!
DeleteI face the same dilemma when I'm short on time, I can't decide what to cut first! Lately I've been choosing sleep over morning workouts, but luckily my schedule is better now so I feel a little more balanced. Good luck with everything!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Bianca! This morning I chose sleep, and I'm confident it was the right decision.
Deletehope you find some time to rest!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! If not, that's what weekends are for, right?!?
DeleteListening to your body and it's needs is going to be most important. Some days it is my workout that gives and some days it might be a little bit of sleep. It just depends on how I am feeling that day!
ReplyDeleteI'm slowly learning listening to your body is the best thing to do!
Delete1. Housework. 2. Exercise. 3. Sleep. 4. Social life. I guess we know what my priorities are. LOL.
ReplyDeleteHaha! Social life is sometimes just as important than the others...for my mental health!
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