It’s no secret that exercising is good for you. It’s proven to ward off health problems, help you sleep better, boost your mood, relieve stress, and increase your energy levels. But fitting exercise into your daily routine can be difficult, especially when life gets busy. The key is to find creative ways to incorporate exercise into your everyday routine, which will make it a habit instead of something you dread doing. Start by figuring out the best time for you to work out and then plan your day around that.

1. Adding Exercise to Your Morning Routine

One way to sneak exercise into your daily routine is by getting up and stretching before you start your day. Try a gentle yoga DVD or stretch class to kickstart your morning with some movement.

2. Take the Stairs or Park Farther Away

Another way to sneak exercise into your daily routine is to change up the ways you walk throughout the day. For example, park your car further away from the store or bus stop, get off the bus at an earlier stop and walk to the store, or ride your bike rather than drive to the office.

3. Deskercise

Doing crunches or squats while you’re at your computer, reading an email, or listening to the radio can be a great way to move. You can even use a hand weight or do push-ups or bicep curls while you’re at your desk to build your arm strength and tone the muscles that surround your shoulders.

4. Join an Active Group

There are a number of groups or organizations that you can join to keep up with your exercise and socialize with other members. These can be in-person groups like running clubs, water aerobics or dance classes or online groups such as the MyFitnessPal community where you can share workout goals and meet accountability partners.

5. Make Exercise Fun

Many of us hate the idea of sweating it out in a gym or pounding a treadmill. But it’s important to remember that the benefits of physical activity are far more substantial than simply a few hours spent in a crowded gym. Pair your workout with a treat Dancing to music can be a fantastic way to boost your mood and increase your energy. Create a playlist of songs you love and play them while doing chores, taking a shower, or cleaning up in the kitchen.

6. Workout with a friend

Finding a workout buddy is an excellent way to stay on track and keep your motivation high. They can also offer support and accountability when things get tough.

7. Log Your Exercise and Keep a Record

Writing down your exercise is a great way to motivate yourself to stick with it. It can also be an encouragement to look back on later and see how much progress you’ve made.

8. Incorporate Small Activities Into Your Daily Routine

Adding a few minutes of activity here and there throughout the day can add up quickly. For example, you can walk a few laps of the parking lot or jog while you’re waiting in line for the bus or subway.