How to Get in the Mood to Exercise

Mood and exercise

We all experience mood swings, with fluctuations in positive and negative emotions. But how does this impact upon your exercise routine? Do you need to be in a good mood to move, or do you rely on exercise to put you in a good mood? 

It’s a chicken and egg debate, where the answer often comes back to the individual. 

Here are 8 tips designed to help take control of your mindset and boost your mood to encourage more movement every day.

1. Buddy up

Having a commitment to someone else helps to make those excuses evaporate, especially when you’re not in the mood to exercise. 

Training with a friend or partner can be a welcome distraction when you’re working out and helps to lift your spirits. It’s one of the best ways to stay motivated and make your exercise more enjoyable. 

2. There’s nothing wrong with a little healthy competition

Having an event, a personal best time, or other people to compete against can be a great source of motivation. 

Involving yourself in some form of contest, or signing up for some type of event you need to train for can light a fire within, and makes you more accountable, no matter your mindset

3. Use music

Few things can help to boost your motivation than an upbeat tune. Music with a fast beat can set the pace of your workout and send any negative thoughts or feelings to the back of your mind.

Create a playlist of feel good songs that almost force you off the couch.

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4. Eat well

The daily choices made about what to eat will have an impact on your mood, and your desire to be active. Unprocessed foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds are all high in nutrients and fibre, and are low in sugar and salt.

Eat whole foods regularly as a source of quality fuel to help you feel energised, and function at your best.

5. Get a good night’s sleep

It’s hard to feel motivated when you’re tired and fatigued. Waking up after a good night sleep can boost your energy levels and have you up and out the door, trainers laced up and ready to workout.

Prioritise getting enough sleep by going to bed at least 8 hours before you need to get up.

6. Dress the part

Make sure to have some athleisure that not only feels good, but helps you feel good in it. Confidence is half the battle. When you look the part, your mood may just follow.

And while your active wear can’t do the workout for you, it can help shift your mood and momentum, and even encourage you to push a little harder during exercise.

7. Just do a little bit

This approach is designed to take advantage of the feel-good properties of exercise. Start with the intention of only doing a very short workout. After 10 – 15 minutes, if you’ve had enough, well that’s still better than nothing.

But often, since you’ve gone to the effort of getting dressed and getting moving, your mood may have shifted, and you might just feel like working out for longer.

8. Mood match your workout

Try to choose an activity that best matches your mood:

• Tough day in the office? – Take your frustrations out on a speed ball or punching bag
• In need of a group hug? – Participate in a group exercise class with loud music and infectious energy
• I just don’t want to! – Get outside. Use the sunshine, fresh air and new surroundings to get you out of that rut