If we waited until we were in the best mood to work out, we might not get moving much. Exercise is essential to a healthy lifestyle and it needs to happen regardless of what emotion you’re feeling on any given day. But you don’t have to stick with the same type of workout every single day, you can let your mood guide you to the best way to get moving.
Instead of forcing some form of fitness you’re not into, lean into your feelings and let them help you fuel your workout. You can mix and match your emotions and exercises and these ideas can help you get started.
- Sad: Yin Yoga - The yoga most of us are familiar with is “yang yoga,” where you do rhythmic sequences to build strength. But when you’re sad, yin yoga may be a better fit because it involves simple poses and slow-paced holds, like up to five minutes at a time.
- Angry: Boxing - Hitting something feels good when you’re raging, so put on some gloves and throw some punches.
- Bored: Circuit Training - Being bored isn’t a bad thing, it’s actually great for creativity, and if you’re not sure what to do for physical fitness, a 20-minute HIIT circuit workout keeps things fresh with a bunch of different exercises.
- Lonely: Intramural Sports - Get some friends together, or join a team and start playing soccer, softball, bowling or anything that involves socializing with other people and moving your body.
- Happy: Freestyle - On the days when you feel happy, do any kind of workout that makes you happy. Whether it’s skateboarding, gardening or walking through the park, let the exercise make your good mood even better.
- Motivated: Long-Distance Running - It takes devotion and a time commitment, but long-distance running is also rewarding and ideal when you’re feeling motivated.
- Restless: Rock Climbing - You have to use your body and brain to do it, so it’s great when you’re restless.
- Hungover: Nature Walk - It’s easy, gets you out in the fresh air and it can be really low-effort.
- Stressed: Deep Breathing - We all need this when stress takes over and those deep breaths can be done anywhere for any amount of time to help us calm down, lower our heart rate and blood pressure, as well as boost our mood.
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