Do you ever wonder why there aren’t enough hours in the day for everything you need to do? There’s work, chores, errands, exercise. For parents, there’s online school tossed in the pile, too. By the end of the day, you feel exhausted because there’s barely time to take a breather. Here’s a time management hack: work smart. Remember in Karate Kid when Mr. Miyagi simultaneously taught Daniel-san karate while letting him fix his dojo? Save time by putting some of your tasks together, say cleaning the house while getting a full body workout?
Read on to find out which household chores can multitask as exercise. You’re welcome.
Triceps: Wax On, Wax Off
The secret to working up a sweat while doing household chores is to do them at a measured pace and with deliberate movements. Don’t just randomly wipe wax on the floor. Wax with purpose! Again, channeling Daniel LaRusso, use big circular strokes, alternating your right and left arm for an even burn.
Survey the area you’re waxing and split the space into either two, three, or four sections, depending on how big the scope is. Take a 30-second interval per section.
If you’ve ever waxed floors before, then you would know that it can stick to your hands. Wash out all that much with Lifebuoy Hand Wash Total 10’s unique foamy formula that cleans as well as refreshes your hands. Wash the back of your hands, in between your fingers, and under the nails, too.
Biceps: Wipe Those Windows
Using the same big circular motions as wax the floor, clean every side of every window in your house at the same uniform pace. An alternative to this chore-cercise would be to do up and down movements instead. Depending on the muscles you’re trying to target, you can also do a side-to-side motion. Keep your arms stretched, your core engaged, and perform big movements to make this a full body workout.
Cardio: Do the Bunot
A bunot, or coconut husk, is a manual floor buffer that you put under your foot. You slide it against the floor in swift back and forth motions. Make sure to put extra vigor when you use the coconut husk to make it an effective cardio workout. Using the same division, you established when you waxed the floor, change legs when you change sections.
Go through the floor two to three times for a more challenging workout.
Beware of slippery sweat when you’re doing this workout. Find a deodorant that can keep pace with you, especially when you’re constantly moving. Rexona Women Natural Brightening Fresh Rose Roll-on Antiperspirant Deodorant has MotionSense technology, which has freshness capsules that are activated by friction from movement, making it work even better the more you move.
Upper Body: Another One Fights the Dust
Numerous fitness experts claim that dusting can burn between 100 to 200 calories an hour if done properly. Keeping your core locked and your arms engaged, stretch for those hard-to-reach areas such as window head casings, tops of cabinets, lighting fixtures, your air-conditioner, and the top of your refrigerator. Remember to always alternate your arms with every item you’re cleaning.
Make it a full body workout at home by upping the burn. You can use a step stool or another similar sturdy platform. Step up with one leg, stretch to dust, then step down. Do the same with your other leg.
Pro Tip: Use a damp duster instead of a feather one. Dusting is hard enough work without triggering an allergy or asthma attack.
Wash out the dust and grime from your hair with Sunsilk Anti-Dandruff Healthy Strong Shampoo. This shampoo deeply cleanses and nourishes hair while refreshing the scalp and getting rid of flakes. It’s the perfect mini-treat after an exhausting cleaning sesh.
Core and Legs: Swiff Under the Rug
Since it’s your big cleaning day, don’t neglect the dirt under furniture. Instead of tiring your arms out by handling your unwieldy broom, use a handy tool like a Swiffer instead. What more, you can turn this chore into a full body workout by doing lunges with every forward thrust. Remember to work both legs by alternating. Keep those muscles locked and tight, too.
You can also do lunges with a vacuum cleaner or while mopping but be careful. You might trip on your vacuum cord or slip on a wet floor.
Back and Core: Grab That Scrub
For tile, marble, or ceramic floor surfaces that can’t be waxed or buffed, try mopping with a washcloth instead. To do this, sit on your knees, again, with your core muscles clenched. Place both hands on the washcloth, a little more than shoulder-width apart, arms straight. Slide your hands forward, keeping the back straight, until you reach a knee plank pose. Then, slide back into place. Make sure your back and core muscles are controlling the movement.
Scrubbing can take a toll on your hands. After washing up, pamper your hands as a reward for all their hard work. Vaseline Healthy Bright Hand and Body Lotion with Vitamin B3, will hydrate and soothe tired skin. It is also lightweight and water-based, so your hands won’t feel sticky after.
When thinking of all the things you need to do throughout the day, you don’t have to pick between squeezing in a full body workout or getting the house in order. Remember that productivity is not about the number of hours in a day, but the number of tasks you’re able to finish.