You don’t need a gym membership or an extra hour — just a shift in mindset and a few creative ways to move through the madness.

We all know exercise is good for us, but that is not necessarily the issue. We have heard the benefits of it a thousand times — reduced stress, better sleep, stronger immune system, etc. The problem is not knowing why we should do it but figuring out how to do it when we are buried under deadlines, juggling three part-time jobs and trying to remember the last time we ate a vegetable. So how do we make it work?

The first step is to radically redefine what it means to be “active.” I am not talking about a 90-minute gym session followed by a protein shake and a mirror selfie (though no judgment if that is your vibe). I am talking about movement — sneaky, subtle, time-efficient movement. You do not need to overhaul your life; you just need to sneak some steps into the chaos.

Start with the humble walk and romanticize it constantly. Walk to class like you are the main character in a coming-of-age Netflix show. Blast your “hot girl walk” playlist, throw on a cozy jacket and strut like the world is your campus runway. Take the long way to class or march up the stairs instead of taking the elevator. Pace while you are on the phone with someone or doom scrolling for the 43^rd time that day. Your legs do not care, they just want to move.

If walking is too chill for your taste, turn your errands into a workout. Carrying groceries up three flights of stairs can be considered a weighted stair climb. Speed-cleaning your apartment before your roommate’s parents visit can be cardio with core engagement. Dancing like an unhinged goblin while doing laundry is pure functional fitness — and probably good for your soul, too.

The idea of needing a full hour to work out is not always feasible. A 10-minute YouTube workout can torch your legs and your excuses at the same time. You are not training for the Olympics; you are just trying to keep your back from turning into a question mark from all those hours hunched over your laptop. There are millions of short, equipment-free workouts online that you can do in your dorm room, your kitchen, even your bathroom (if you are that desperate). No gym membership, no time commitment, just vibes and maybe some questionable squats.

Speaking of squats, why not incorporate them into your study routine? Every time you finish a paragraph, do ten squats, push-ups or jumping jacks. It is ridiculous, but also surprisingly effective. You get a little endorphin rush, a break from reading and maybe even a bit of pride. Plus, you will feel like an absolute legend when you ace your paper and have glutes of steel.

Being active is not just about workouts but about building a lifestyle that does not involve being glued to a chair 24/7. Say yes to more active social plans. Go for walks with friends instead of defaulting to another coffee shop hangout. Join an intramural team — not because you want to win, but because you want to move and laugh and feel like a person again. Do a “study stretch” with your roommates during a late-night cram session. Make it weird and fun. Movement does not have to be a chore; it can be a communal ritual of procrastination and wellness.

Of course, none of this is going to magically give you more hours in a day. You will still be busy. Being active does not demand time you do not have — it demands a shift in perspective. It is not about doing more but about doing things differently. It’s about stacking healthy habits onto things you’re already doing, like walking while you call your mom, stretching while you re-watch the same two episodes of The Office or biking to campus instead of taking the bus (if you’re brave and don’t mind Saskatchewan winds slapping you in the face).

Some days, being active might just mean dragging yourself to class when you would rather cocoon in bed. That kind of survival counts, as it is always consistency over perfection. Do not let fitness influencers trick you into thinking that if you did not lift your body weight or do a 5K, you failed. If you moved, even a little, you did something. You showed up, and that is enough.

Your mental health will thank you. In a university ecosystem where burnout is a badge of honour and anxiety is practically contagious, physical activity is one of the few things that helps without a side of guilt or student debt. Even a brisk walk can reset your brain, clear the fog and give you a tiny sliver of control in an otherwise chaotic semester. Movement is a form of resistance, against stress and stagnation.

You do not need to train like a Navy SEAL or suddenly become “that guy” who shows up to an 8am lecture in gym shorts and protein breath. You just need to move more often, in more ways, with more joy. You need to find the cracks in your schedule and pour a little motion into them. If all else fails, just remember doing five jumping jacks between long study sessions is still five more than you did yesterday.

University is hard, but staying active does not have to be. Move when you can, stretch when you remember and dance when the mood strikes.