Do you have fear or anxiety about working out or returning to exercise? Has it been a while since you’ve participated in exercise following an injury, a diagnosis or raising children?
Whatever the reason, this can be a normal reaction and feeling. However don’t let it continue to hold you back from moving. We are designed to move and the body and mind heals through movement.
Starting with a mindful movement practice such as a tailored exercise program with a Physiotherapist or through Pilates or Yoga is a great place to begin. Doing a mind body exercise can help reduce anxiety and overcome fears around exercise.
As Physiotherapists we can help you think about a task that you cannot do or an exercise that you cannot participate in and we can structure a task specific framework to help you move towards your goal. We can use movement as a way to bring you closer to your optimal function and return you to exercise.
Finding something that you enjoy doing just for the benefit of moving your body can also be a whole new way of thinking. Walking is another way to work out more, take it outside enjoy the sunshine, listen to a podcast. Anything to bring happiness into your workout helps.
We have all heard about the release of endorphins through exercise, these hormones are the body’s natural feel good drugs and once you begin moving this will also help you feel better about exercising.
A few other points to ponder when worried about exercise: ‘Rome wasn’t built in a day’ and patience and persistence are vital qualities in the ultimate successful accomplishment of any worthwhile endeavour and physical fitness is the first requisite of happiness.