Ever skip a workout because you feel like you’re not in the mood? A lack of motivation or feeling angry or upset can make you less excited to lace up your running shoes, but personal trainer Sam Merza says we should actually lean into those emotions instead.
“There’s a workout for every mood, the key is listening to your body and what will feel good,” he explains. “Most of us have a playlist for different moods, so why not have a go-to workout for different moods?”
This is how to listen to your mood to figure out the best workout, according to this fitness pro:
- Angry- When we’re mad, we have higher levels of adrenaline running through our bodies, so channel it to help you blow off steam with burpees, push-ups and jumping jacks. Boxing and running make great workouts when you’re angry, just stay away from lifting weights or anything else where the risk of injury is higher if distracted.
- Anxious- Slow and steady workouts are best when your anxiety is high. Pilates, yoga, meditation and walking are recommended, and so is playing your favorite music while you’re at it. Avoid going for a run while feeling anxious because it can put you in “flight” mode, causing the body to mimic symptoms of panic and the mind might pick up the pace with racing thoughts, too.
- Sad- When you’re upset or down, turn to cardio. Aerobic and cardio exercises have been shown to be most effective for fighting symptoms of depression. Even if you feel like you can’t drag yourself out of bed, start small and build your way up.
- Happy- If you’re already feeling great, do any workout you love and make the most of it!
- Relaxed- Feeling Zen and don’t want to let it go? Do some Pilates for a whole body workout and your state of calm may make it easier to focus on the task at hand.
Source:Yahoo