Exercise and movement have many health benefits, including improved mood and a reduction in stress hormones, but gruelling gym sessions and 75 hard challenges can make exercise seem daunting and out of reach for the average person.
Diet culture mindset tells us that exercise is a punishment for overeating. Got to burn those calories off from an indulgent weekend, right?
Wrong!
What if exercise wasn’t about punishing yourself for what you’ve eaten. What if it was a way to show your body and mind some kindness?
When you can reframe exercise as self-care, it becomes easier to find joy in movement rather than resenting it, or it feeling like a chore.
Exercise and movement have many health benefits, including improved mood and a reduction in stress hormones. So if you’re looking to make some small, sustainable changes in your life, finding ways to move your body more is a great way to do that.
We want to emphasize here that whatever works for you, is what is best. There is no right or wrong, and no form of exercise is better than others in our opinion, except the one that works best for you. So if you’re into the gym, then that’s great, but we also want to highlight that exercise doesn’t have to be “exercisey”.
Start with the basics
Walking can be easily overlooked as serious exercise, but it is also one of the most accessible ways to get moving. It doesn’t require any special equipment except maybe a good pair of shoes that effectively support your feet and ankles. Plus, it’s free!
Getting outside in nature is proven to boost mood and reduce stress, so combining this with a walk is an ideal way to make some simple improvements to your health. Walking is considered widely safe for most people, is great for mobility and a fantastic entry point to more intense activities, without pushing yourself too hard initially. It also has many proven benefits such as improving sleep and your heart health.
And you don’t necessarily need to be hitting 10k steps a day either. If you’re currently inactive, start small and try to gradually increase the distance and duration of your walks. Modern life tethers us to couches, desks and screens, but our bodies weren’t designed to be sedentary all of the time. It’s important to rest, and we all love a duvet day, but implementing small changes like this can have big benefits.
Walking clubs are also rising in popularity, with many people joining for not only the health benefits, but the social ones too!
Movement for body and mind
If you’re someone who is currently inactive, Yoga can seem a little daunting, however it is also another easily adaptable and accessible activity that can have long lasting benefits to your health, beyond aesthetics.
The origins of Yoga can be traced back over 5000 years, so it has plenty of evidence backed benefits, and again requires little equipment to get started. You don’t need an expensive mat, or a fancy outfit – you don’t even need to leave the house if you don’t want to!
There are tonnes of resources for Yoga online with tutorials on the major video and streaming platforms so you can get started for free and at home if joining a class feels like too big of a step. It is also pretty adaptable if you have health or mobility issues.
There are different types of yoga, and it can be confusing when you first get started, but don’t get put off. Some disciplines focus more on body and strength, whilst others are more about spiritual connection and relaxation.
Yoga is proven to improve strength and mobility, reduce joint pain and improve nervous system regulation as well as a host of other benefits.
Dance it out
If you’re looking for something a little more up tempo, dancing is a great, low impact way of getting you moving. Dancing is known to improve aerobic capability, improve balance and even helps build self-confidence.
Zumba and other adult dance classes were incredibly popular for a time, and you’ll likely still find one going on at your local sports centre if you feel like getting involved, however this is another activity that you don’t have to leave the house for if you prefer home comforts.
You can get started for free with a YouTube dance work out or even just slip on your headphones and do whatever feels good for you.
Make it fun!
Whatever activity you try, it’s important that it’s realistic and accessible for you. It’s no use if you dread doing it, and it must be something you can do consistently. If you enjoy it, you’re more likely to be able to stay consistent. So, start slow, set realistic goals, and don’t give up. If you find yourself struggling for motivation, take it back a step and find the point of which you can begin to enjoy it again.
It doesn’t have to be all or nothing!
