Long hours, late nights and a climate that can feel like a furnace half the year – no wonder so many of us in Cyprus skip the gym! After a day in the office (and maybe a battle through traffic on Limassol avenue), the idea of a full hour’s workout feels impossible.

But here’s the good news: you don’t need it. Honestly, unless you want to be bodybuilder of the year, a long gym workout simply isn’t required; research shows that short, sharp bursts of movement – even just a few minutes at a time – can deliver big health and energy benefits.

A study in Nature Medicine found that people who did three or four brief bouts of vigorous activity a day, each lasting just one to two minutes, cut their risk of premature death by up to 40 per cent. Another review reported that these ‘exercise snacks’ – a quick stair climb, a fast-paced walk — improve cardiovascular fitness and metabolism almost as much as longer workouts (bjsm.bmj.com). And Harvard Health notes that regular micro-movement helps reduce anxiety and boost mood by triggering endorphins without the burnout of long sessions.

In Cyprus, we can build this in naturally. Take the stairs instead of the lift (especially in those breezy old stone buildings). Do a brisk power-walk to the periptero. Carry your shopping up the hill instead of driving round the block. Waiting for your frappé? Try a few shoulder rolls (you may get eye rolls in response – but you’ll be healthier than your queuing critic!). Even hanging out the laundry can be a mini strength session if you stretch and reach.

The key is frequency, not formality. You don’t need Lycra, fancy equipment, or an hour to spare – just sprinkle movement into everyday life. A few bursts scattered across the day can wake up your muscles, get your heart pumping and sharpen your focus.

This week, look for your own exercise snacks: a flight of stairs, a fast walk to Lidl , a quick kitchen dance while the metrio brews.

Because feeling good here isn’t about finding more time – it’s about making the time you already have move a little more.