HOW TO MOTIVATE YOURSELF TO WORKOUT WHEN DEPRESSED - TIPS FOR VETS


By bblouin
Man running answering, how to motivate yourself to workout when depressed.

It’s a bit of a vicious cycle. Working out is one of the activities that help with depression, yet, if you’re feeling down, exercise is one of the hardest things you can do. Depression can zap you of motivation and energy and is one of the most common mental health issues found within the Veteran community. Pushing through and finding motivation isn’t always easy and it’s always important to consult a medical professional regarding your mental and physical health. Nevertheless, these tips can help Veterans improve their mental and physical health through exercise. In fact, they may just answer that question of how to motivate yourself to workout when depressed. Suggested read: Military AI Is Getting More Attention From the US and Others

Use Your Interests to Stay Active

One of the best ways how to get yourself motivated to work out when you're depressed is to change up your exercise from the start. This means doing more than just lifting weights or running on a treadmill. Get creative and have fun by incorporating your favorite exercises along with your favorite activities that are…well, active! If you’re into something like dancing, rock climbing, or martial arts, be sure to incorporate these hobbies to stay engaged in a fun activity that gets you moving. Try joining a league if you’re into sports, where you can combine your passion with a good sweat and even enjoy being within a community as a result.

Bring a Friend if You’re Too Depressed to Work Out

Having a workout buddy isn’t just going to get you better results but it makes the exercise more enjoyable at the same time. Not only do you have someone for accountability to help you maintain a schedule and goals, but adding the social aspect makes your workout more than just a way to stay in shape. Interacting with friends is a great way to help depression and may lead to other activities, such as hanging out after your workout or planning fun trips to keep your group active. Related read: Get Ready for Summer With These Military Workout Regimens

The Power of Music

If you want to maximize your pump, then you’ll need to pump up the jams. Not only do studies show music helps increase your workout but there are several other positives as well. Boosting your energy is one thing but music can help improve your mood. Regardless of what your favorite genre, you can stave off boredom, push through exercise harder, and enjoy a better mental state all at the same time. Listening to tunes or a podcast is also a great way to associate your workout with a positive experience and can act as a healthy distraction from negative thoughts.

Make a Realistic Plan

Going in without a plan or setting unrealistic expectations is not how to get motivated to lose weight when depressed. If you’re going to get in shape, be sure to set realistic, short and long-term goals you can meet. Some of the most common reasons people give up, depressed or not, is due to boredom, not having enough time, and becoming discouraged due to the lack of immediate progress. By game-planning your exercise routine, you can help yourself and others move forward. Additionally, you can build momentum, and feel more motivated to continue your fitness journeys. Being too depressed to work out is a common issue in the Veteran community. Knowing how to motivate yourself to workout when depressed is beneficial to your overall wellbeing. Reaching out to professionals, friends, family, and colleagues can help you get back on track physically, mentally, and spiritually. Read next: Niger Military Splits Ties With US Government With Immediate EffectSources: 1. Exercise is an all-natural treatment to fight depression, Harvard Health Publishing. Accessed March 2024. https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/exercise-is-an-all-natural-treatment-to-fight-depression 2. Can Listening to Music Improve Your Workout?, NCHR. Accessed March 2024. https://www.center4research.org/can-listening-music-improve-workout/ 3. Reasons Why People Don’t Exercise, Exercise.com. Accessed March 2024. https://www.exercise.com/learn/why-do-people-not-exercise/


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