Finding Time to Exercise as a Mum: The Challenges and Strategies
Finding time to exercise can be hard, and research shows that’s especially true for mums. Professor Lyndall Strazdins from Australian National University highlights a common refrain among individuals when asked why they don’t engage in more physical activity: “They don’t have enough time.” Understanding the dynamics that contribute to this time crunch reveals significant gender and family dynamics at play.
The Gender Gap in Physical Activity
According to Professor Strazdins’ research, published in 2022, half of the global population is insufficiently active, and the gender gap in physical activity is particularly pronounced among heterosexual couples with children. The study analyzed data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey and found that as family demands increase, women’s physical activity is notably curtailed, while men’s activity levels remain more stable.
Why Women Are Exercising Less
It’s well-established that women tend to make more sacrifices regarding leisure time due to increased unpaid labor at home. Rebecca Ahern, head of VicHealth’s This Girl Can campaign, reinforces this by noting that many women were more active before having children. Juggling caring responsibilities, household chores, and work makes carving out time for exercise a significant challenge. Professor Strazdins emphasizes the quality of available leisure time often hinders women’s exercise efforts, forcing them to squeeze physical activity into fragmented segments.
Women often attempt to multitask their exercise with other responsibilities, turning their workouts into family outings or errand runs—an approach that seldom fulfills their fitness needs.
Specific Barriers to Exercise for Women
Various factors contribute to the disparity in exercise levels between genders, including:
- Safety Concerns: Many women feel unsafe exercising alone, particularly in the evenings.
- Mum Guilt: The conflicting emotions associated with dedicating time to oneself rather than spending it with children can feel burdensome.
- Financial Limitations: The costs associated with joining gyms or engaging in fitness classes can be prohibitive.
- Unwelcoming Environments: Environments that discourage participation can deter women from exercising.
- Fear of Judgment: Many women grapple with anxiety about how they are perceived in fitness settings.
- Body Image Issues: Post-pregnancy body images can dampen confidence and motivation to engage in physical activity.
The Dynamics of Time “Borrowing”
A key finding from Professor Strazdins’ research is the phenomenon of men seemingly “borrowing” time from women to maintain their exercise routines. Even when women’s paid work hours are fewer, men are more likely to utilize that “free” time for their fitness rather than allowing women the same opportunity. Strazdins notes that men’s time for jobs and health is often “protected,” while women’s time is frequently “squeezed.”
Addressing the Needs of Fathers
Interestingly, while women face significant challenges in exercising due to their caregiving roles, some men feel “locked out” of these roles by the demands of their jobs. Professor Strazdins points to a broader societal issue where economic value is prioritized over health and well-being, affecting everyone involved.
Closing the Exercise Gap in Your Home
As the global crisis of inactivity grows, the burden of disease related to cardiovascular and cognitive health intensifies. Personal accounts demonstrate how mothers are finding ways to stay active amidst their busy schedules. For instance, Joys Njambi, an active mother, found success in participating in “mum and bub” classes—an excellent way to integrate exercise with parenting. Similarly, she discovered that even short, incremental bouts of activity, like three 10-minute walking breaks during work, kept her engaged in fitness.
For women, intentionality becomes crucial. Rebecca Ahern illustrates this by emphasizing the importance of walking or playing with her children in parks to promote incidental exercise while simultaneously fulfilling family duties. She insists that every little bit counts, and the accumulation of daily activity can add up without the need for extensive planned workouts.
Creating a Culture of Shared Responsibility
To truly close the exercise gap at home, it’s vital for couples to engage in open discussions about the prioritization of fitness. Professor Strazdins suggests that both partners need sufficient time for self-care to achieve a healthier home dynamic. Ahern shares her experience where her partner adjusted his golfing routine to create more opportunities for shared family time and personal fitness.
The conversation around fair distribution of family duties seems pivotal in enabling both men and women to carve out time for their health. Recognizing that shared responsibilities at home can lead to a more balanced life for parents is a key takeaway in addressing health and well-being.