Gone are the days of high temperatures and even higher humidity. Beautiful Fall weather is now approaching and many of us are eager to get outside and enjoy the cooler temperatures. This makes it the perfect time to talk about the subject of exercise. Exercise should definitely be included as part of a healthy, well-rounded self-care program. Exercise has many great health benefits. Not only does it boost endorphins (these are the body’s “feel good” hormones) which improve your mood, it also raises your energy level, reduces stress, detoxes your body, burns calories to help you maintain a healthy weight and helps you sleep.For many of us, due to busy days and hectic schedules, exercise has fallen to the bottom of our priorities list. Lifestyles have become more sedentary than in past generations as we go from sitting behind a desk and computer to sitting in our vehicle in traffic to collapsing on the sofa in front of the television when we get home; so incorporating exercise into our daily routine has now become more important than ever. Even just a little exercise can go a long way in helping you stay more balanced, healthy and happy. A recent study even showed that small movements such as chopping vegetables and squirming contribute positivity to a person’s overall fitness level!You can begin by incorporating exercise into your day in small doses… try parking farther from your office building, take the stairs instead of the elevator to your floor, take a relaxing walk at lunchtime or schedule a walk with a friend and catch up at the same time. Small changes can really add up over time and will make a big impact on your overall health and level of fitness.As you move forward, begin to set aside 30 minutes, 3 times per week to exercise and schedule it on your calendar. Instead of making exercise feel like a difficult chore, try doing something you really love to do like dance, a group exercise class or sport. Keep things interesting by incorporating different types of exercise into your routine instead of doing the same thing each time. For instance, take a yoga class one day, bike one day with your family and walk one day with a friend. To help your body remain flexible and strong, be sure to include some stretching as well as strength training in your exercise routine.