5 Ways to Combine Cardio and Mindfulness By Kate Hanley

As someone who helps people make mind-body practices a regular part of their life, a question I hear a lot is, “How will I have time to do this and exercise?” It’s a lot easier than it seems, and doesn’t necessarily require you to add another 30 minutes to whatever your exercise routine currently looks like. Here are five simple ways to do it – three of which don’t require any additional time at all. (The other two do add a few minutes to the length of your workout, but you’re already exercising—it’s easier to add a couple minutes to something you do anyway than to carve out an additional pocket of time.)

But now to address the even bigger question, “Why bother to do a mindfulness practice in addition to regular workouts?” You know that exercise can clear your head and turn around a bad mood. But when you add mindfulness in to the mix, you add rocket fuel to these already valuable benefits. Giving your mind a point of focus during a workout helps you get into that magical headspace where your thoughts are crystal clear and insights pop up as if by magic. You can see exactly what you need to focus on when you get back to your real life, and what isn’t worth the stress. Running on a treadmill while watching Entertainment Tonight can’t even come close to providing the clarity that a more mindful form of exercise can. If you’re ready for your exercise to change the way you think and act in addition to the way you look, here are five easy ways to do it.

Kate Hanley is a mind-body coach, yoga teacher, blogger, and author of The Anywhere, Anytime Chill Guide. Visit her at MsMindbody.com.

Bookend Your Workout With A Few Moments of Stillness

If you’re a regular worker-outer, but can’t seem to find the time for a more reflective practice, build a little bit of quiet time in to your exercise routine. Commit to sitting quietly just before you get out of the car and go in to the gym or head out your door for the walk, run, or bike ride, and then again when you’re done. Try taking five deep breaths or sitting in meditation for a few minutes before you go in to calorie-burning mode. It will help clear your head so you can be more present during your workout, instead of just going through the motions. It will also help you head calmly back in to your day when the workout is over.