Exercise could be one of the simplest ways to promote a healthier mental space, but staying consistent could be difficult. Whether it’s taking a walk or running outside, going to the gym, or hiking, consistency is key in building long-term resiliency.
Sure, some days we’re tired, our minds are oversaturated, and we face difficulty fitting exercise into our schedules routinely, so we’re here to help keep you on track.
Did you know that implementing exercise into your schedule even can improve your sleep? Yes, your sleep could easily improve just by burning more energy throughout the day with exercise, leaving your body and mind tired and in need of rest.
“Exercise improves mental health by reducing anxiety, depression, and negative mood and by improving self-esteem and cognitive function. Exercise has also been found to alleviate symptoms such as low self-esteem and social withdrawal.”
The Association of Medicine and Psychiatry
Below are some tips we compiled to assist you in staying consistent with exercise.
Time
Exercising at the same time every day increases the probability that one keeps consistent with an exercise routine. Exercising at the same time every day builds time familiarity between yourself and your body; at some point, it’ll become second nature. If your schedule allows it, one of the best ways to maintain an exercise routine is to workout first thing in the morning or as soon as you wake up. One of the transparent benefits of exercising in the morning is that the person does not have to spend all day thinking about working out later in the day; this will eliminate unnecessary stressors and allow the person to focus on other tasks.
Accountability Partner
Getting an accountability partner serves as an easy strategy to maintain an exercise routine. Sharing your goals with your accountability partner allows them to remind you of your goal and why you started in the first place. An accountability partner can be anyone, your significant other, a brother or sister, cousin, or a friend. Attaining an accountability partner is not only a strategy to stay on-track but a way to strengthen social relationships with those you love. In short, it’s much more fun to exercise with a partner and is often followed by greater results.
Burnout
One of the quickest ways to give up on an exercise routine is by burning yourself out; it’s easy to do this. Initially, it’s easier to workout because it’s new, challenging, and fun. But, if one overexerts themselves by working out way too hard or every day of the week, it’s inevitable that at some point, you will reach burnout. Remember, life is all about finding balance, and exercise is an essential part of building positive mental health, but it’s not valuable when one becomes burnt out or anxious regarding the thought of having to exercise.