I used to be the kind of person who could only work out in the morning—like, 10 minutes after waking up and brushing my teeth. I considered it "productive" when exercise was the first thing I crossed off my to-do list. I realize now it's because I treated it like a chore instead of something I could mentally benefit from.
I stopped working out for eight months when the pandemic hit; when I slowly got back into it, I made a tiny discovery: Exercising during my lunch break felt ah-mazing! I'd unroll my mat near my desk and do a light workout while listening to a new K-pop song or a podcast.
As it turns out, midday workouts have its own set of perks! It's a good way to release some of the stored energy you have. Plus, it can help boost your mood and avoid that afternoon slump. I usually wake up at around 4:30 a.m., after which I have two cups of coffee. Unsurprisingly, this doesn't keep me from feeling tired, and by 1:00 p.m., I'm fighting the urge to take a nap. Working out at noon has helped me power through the day. It's sort of like resetting the clock.
In general, exercise has been proven to reduce stress levels, increase productivity, and even relieve anxiety symptoms. And according to a study published in 2018, there's an increase in caloric burn when you have a sweat sesh in the afternoon vs. other times of day!
What works for me is having a light snack 30 minutes before my lunch break. I work out for 20-30 minutes, depending on how I feel, and then I have a proper lunch afterwards. I tend to eat pretty fast, so 30 minutes is plenty of time for me. If you have the luxury of working from home and can squeeze in a workout during break time, check out this article for quick, 10-minute exercise videos you can follow. Yes! Kahit 10 minutes lang 'yan. It counts! Good luck, Cosmo Girls!
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