How To Transform Your Fitness Routine Into A Source Of Happiness & Form Of Self-Care
Exercise is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle, but it can often feel like a chore, but it doesn't have to be this way, mama! By finding joy and practicing gratitude in your fitness routine, you can turn your workout into a positive experience and it will actually help you smash your long-term goals. In case you missed it: We’re starting 2023 by focusing on JOY. Why? Because it’s the secret to crushing your goals. Seriously, it's scientifically proven that practicing gratitude can improve your physical and mental well-being and make you more likely to exercise. Here’s everything from weeks 1-5 here.
As we enter February — the month we’re dedicating to Self Love — we’re exploring all the ways to bring happiness to your fitness routine & start to look at it as a form of self care. So you can have your best year yet. Let’s get into it.
6 ways to transform your fitness routine into a form of self-care
1. Trying new activities
One way to find joy in your fitness routine is to try new activities. If you're feeling bored with your current workout, trying something new can be an excellent way to reignite your passion for exercise. This could mean trying a new sport, joining a group fitness class, or even trying a new form of yoga.
By stepping out of your comfort zone and trying something new, you'll not only discover new forms of exercise that you enjoy, but you'll also challenge yourself in new and exciting ways.
Here are 5 Surprising Workouts You Can Do During Pregnancy — this should give you the inspo you need to get started!
2. Setting achievable goals
This is something we’ve mentioned a lot in 2023 — another way to find joy in your fitness routine is to set achievable goals. When you have a goal in mind, it can be easier to stay motivated and focused during your workouts.
Whether you're working towards losing weight, improving your stamina, or just feeling stronger, having a goal can help you stay on track. And when you reach your goal, you'll feel a sense of accomplishment that can be incredibly rewarding.
Here are 5 Steps To Setting Fitness Goals You Can Actually Stick To.
3. Incorporating mindfulness
Incorporating mindfulness into your fitness routine can also help you find joy and gratitude. When you're present in the moment, you can appreciate the benefits of exercise in real-time. For example, when you're running, focus on your breathing, the sound of your feet hitting the ground, and the sensation of the wind on your skin.
By being mindful in your exercise, you can develop a deeper appreciation for your body and all it can do.
Are You Ready For Mindfulness? Level Up Your Meditation With This Checklist.
4. Incorporating fun
This might sound obvious, but finding joy in your fitness routine can also be as simple as incorporating fun into your workouts. Whether that means inviting a friend to exercise with you, or participating in a fun group fitness class, incorporating fun into your fitness routine can make it feel less like a chore and more like a treat.
5. Listening to music
Listening to music is great way to find Joy in Movement & be mindful as you do it. In fact, music acts a source of motivation and positive reinforcement for movement. A 2012 study showed that participants who listened to music that they really liked experienced higher levels of serotonin that put them in a better mindset for their workout. Music and exercise both release feel-good chemicals in your brain — such as serotonin, dopamine, and natural opioids — that not only make us feel happier, but can also dull your pain and make you less susceptible to feeling fatigued from the exercise at hand.
Music also acts as a distraction and can make your movements more efficient — research has shown that listening to songs with a similar cadence to your workout pace (while on a run, for example) can help you fall into a steadier rhythm, making you more efficient in your movements so you burn less energy. So if you're going for that personal best, music might just help you get there!
Here’s how to pick your perfect playlist & more on how music benefits your exercise routine.
6. Growing your fitness levels
In addition to finding joy and gratitude in your fitness routine, it's also important to focus on growing your fitness levels. This means gradually increasing the intensity, duration, or frequency of your workouts over time. By doing so, you can continue to challenge yourself and improve your physical health. It's important to listen to your body and not push yourself too hard, but by gradually growing your fitness levels, you can see continued progress and improvement.
7. Practicing gratitude
In case you haven’t guessed it already, gratitude is an important aspect of finding joy in your fitness routine. When you're grateful for your body and its ability to move, exercise can become a form of self-care. Here’s a couple of tips on how to do this:
Take a moment before or after your workout to reflect on your body and all it can do.
Try to focus on the positive aspects of your body and what it enables you to do.
This can help you develop a more positive and grateful attitude towards your fitness routine, which in time builds to a happier, healthier workout and mindset.
Finding joy and gratitude in your fitness routine can help you develop a more positive and sustainable relationship with exercise. By trying new activities, setting achievable goals, practicing gratitude and mindfulness, and incorporating fun into your workouts, you can transform your fitness routine into a source of happiness and self-care.
Do you think of fitness as a form of self-care? Let us know in the comments & share what you do for self-care!