The holidays are notoriously busy, between shopping, parties, family gatherings and year-end work deadlines. When every minute feels spoken for, the idea of heading to the gym might feel like too much, but you don’t need to carve out an hour or leave your house to stay active. Instead, you can squeeze in short, effective workouts right in your living room or even while preparing holiday meals.

Quick bursts of movement can do wonders for your body and your mind. They boost your energy, lift your mood and help offset some of those extra holiday treats. And all you need to get them done is a few minutes and a willingness to move. Whether you have five minutes before guests arrive or ten minutes between baking batches of cookies, you can fit in a workout that keeps you feeling strong, flexible and less stressed.

These mini at-home workouts can be done by almost anyone, and they can easily be adjusted depending on your fitness level.

The 10-Minute Home Circuit

When time is tight, a simple circuit workout gets your heart pumping fast. Do each move for 30 seconds, then rest for 30 seconds before moving to the next. Repeat the circuit 2 or 3 times if you can.

• Bodyweight squats
• Push-ups or wall push-ups
• Lunges
• Plank hold or forearm plank
• Jumping jacks or marching in place

To make it easier: Reduce active time to 20 seconds per interval or slow down the tempo.
To make it harder: Add a jump to your squats or lunges, shorten rest time or do more rounds.

The 5-Minute Strength Boost

This quick strength set builds muscle and helps improve posture and stability. It’s perfect for when you’re short on time.

• 12–15 bodyweight squats
• 8–12 push-ups or modified push-ups
• 10–15 glute bridges
• 20–30 second plank hold
• 8 bird dogs per side

Move through the list with little rest in between. Repeat if you have extra time.

Micro Bursts Throughout the Day

If your day feels nonstop, try squeezing in mini workouts in small windows of time. For example:

• Do calf raises or squats while brushing your teeth.
• March or jog in place during phone calls.
• Do a few push-ups or jumping jacks while waiting for the oven timer.

These small bursts of activity may seem minor, but they add up over the course of the day.

Stretch Sessions

Not every workout has to leave you sweaty. A few minutes of gentle stretching or mobility work can help relieve tension and improve flexibility. Try shoulder rolls, torso twists, leg swings or simple yoga poses like cat-cow and child’s pose to help your body unwind after a long day.

Even if your schedule is packed, doing something is always better than doing nothing. A few minutes here and there keeps your body moving and your mind focused, helping you manage stress and feel your best.

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