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7 Ways to Boost Mental Health With a Workout

It’s the understatement of the year to say that emotions are running high right now. For all of us. In a whole lot of ways.

Workouts have always helped us with our mental health — but that seems to be the case now more than ever.

And, as we’ve been getting our home workouts and socially distanced runs in, we’ve been using a few different ways to make them even better for our mental and emotional state.

We’re not talking about anything that’s too hard to do; just little tweaks here and there that you can try. These little tricks have been helping us, and we figured they might help you, too — no matter what emotions you’re going through.

7 Ways to Make Workouts Even Better for Your Mental Health

1. Set an intention. Before every workout, take a few deep breaths and then set an intention as to what it is you want to accomplish with your workout. Is there a specific emotion you’re feeling that you’d like to release? Are you wanting to take a break from something (or everything)? Are you looking to boost your mood — or do you want to feel a certain way, like strong or powerful or simply in flow? Figure exactly out what you want your workout to do for you before you start moving.

2. Envision stress leaving your body. As you go through your workout, imagine releasing stress as you move. This is particularly good to do on a run or a walk — envision stress, anxiety, and any other emotion you’d like to release dissolving with every step you take.

3. Meditate after your workout. We’ve written about this before, but if you’re having trouble sitting down to meditate or making meditation a habit, consider making it part of your regular cool down. Usually your “monkey mind” is quieter after exercising, and it’s a great way to cap your workout on a mindful note.

4. Repeat a mantra. We’ve always been a fan of using empowering mantras to improve our workouts, but right now we’re liking phrases like “Let it go,” “It’s safe for me to relax,” and even simple words like “love” to help process big emotions and stress.

5. Pay attention to your inhale and exhale. Really focus on inhaling what you want more of in your life (joy, health, love, for example), and then releasing what you don’t want on your exhale (such as stress, fear, anxiety). If you can, visualize what you want actually coming in to your body; and what you don’t want leaving your body.

6. Embrace nature. If you’re able to exercise safely outside and away from others, then turn your next walk or run into its own meditation by focusing on everything around you. Feel the sun and wind on your face; notice how the light hits the trees and plants near you; listen to all of the sounds around you. Try to keep yourself as in the moment as you can and see what natural beauty you can find.

7. Choose your music mindfully. Are there any songs that speak to what you’re feeling? Or, is there a specific beat that seems to match the intensity of your emotions? Put on music that speaks to how you’re feeling — no matter if it’s “workout” music or not.

How are workouts helping your mental health right now? Any other tricks you’ve got for making them even more mood-boosting? Here are a few more mindful running ideas we love. –Jenn

FTC disclosure: We often receive products from companies to review. All thoughts and opinions are always entirely our own. Unless otherwise stated, we have received no compensation for our review and the content is purely editorial. Affiliate links may be included. If you purchase something through one of those links we may receive a small commission. Thanks for your support!

Comments

46 Comments
  1. Arhaath S says:

    Very informative article. I love it where you advise us to envision stress leaving the body. That helps definitely!!

  2. I like the tip to meditate after your workout. I’ve been trying to incorporate more meditation into my week and right after a workout seems like an ideal time to do it. Plus, then you don’t have to try and fit it in another time during the day. Who says Savasana is only for the end of a Yoga class? Process all that feel-good workout energy. A short meditation sounds like a great way to close out a sweat session.

  3. Very helpful post. Thanks for sharing this with us.

  4. Floranet says:

    Worth Appreciating. Great work.

  5. I adore this advice. That is why we advocate that mental health and physical health ALWAYS go hand in hand. If one isn’t up to speed, then the other likely isn’t either. I have actually been turning off my music during my workouts and runs in particular, and just enjoying my puppies and nature. I notice that being more mindful and in the present is SO valuable for mental and physical health. 🙂 Thank you for these!

    1. Jenn says:

      YES! 🙂 Love that.

      –Jenn

  6. Great article with some great tips. Thank you for sharing this with us all. I highly recommend ALL of it… Best of luck with your blog! It really helped me to boost mental health.

  7. Great article! Exercise of any kind can boost endorphins in the body, much needed in dealing with the pandemic induced stress and anxiety. It’s also important to build immunity. While there is no proof that workouts can keep us from the virus, it can definitely prevent common colds and other infections, so that the trips to the ER are as less as possible.

  8. I am very impressed to after watching this video which is a complete guide for us to maintain our health. Health is great wealth.

  9. Bionaze says:

    Finding peace in your mind like mediating really boosts your mental health. Thanks for sharing this. I totally agree with all of these.

  10. Thanks for sharing this wonderful information!

  11. It’s so wonderful, it’s time to start fitness like you, thank you for sharing, this is really a wonderful website

  12. Rani says:

    Thanks for sharing

  13. Thanks for sharing these tips on improving mental heal condition. I will surely try to perform some of these methods. The proper work out helps also developing the physical fitness with improved immune system.

  14. Raymond says:

    Thanks for sharing these tips on improving mental heal condition. I will surely try to perform some of these methods. The proper work out helps also developing the physical fitness with improved immune system.

  15. Kendall says:

    I love these tips! I’ve never given meditation a chance but after reading this blog post with these simple steps to help include it into a work out I will definitely be working it in more often. Steps 2-5 alone, made me want to get up and go for a run just so I could try them during/afterwards!

  16. Setting an intention is an effective way to make better your mental health. When I feel stuck, I used to meditate, repeat a manta and pay attention to inhale and exhale. If you want to feel relaxed, you must enjoy music. I am hopeful this tip will be beneficial for you. I have followed your tips to reduce mental stress.

  17. kisaan says:

    Hi, I’m Kisaan. I’m very impressed with that blog. Such a very interesting and knowledgeable article to read. thanks for sharing!! Keep posting.

  18. Very informative article. I love it where you advise us to envision stress leaving the body. That helps definitely!!

  19. Marcello Jaspan says:

    Here is how I am Fighting Coronavirus…

    I must say I have a weak immune system. I don’t know why, it has always been this way. My functional doctor thinks it is gut related, so we are running stool tests and etc.

    The fact is, when someone gets sick around me (at home or at the office) there is no protecting myself from the flu and I often get sick as a result. And the speed in which it happens is mind-blowing. It is like… someone sneezes, and then I start feeling sick and rundown ride-away.

    “I have grown tired of being sick, and sick of being tired… if you know what I mean. Can you relate?”

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  20. I listen and sang motivational and rock songs alone in a room. It really provides peace and relaxation to my brian.

  21. Rijhu says:

    Hello Jenn,

    I really loved all these useful and important tips.

    I will definitely try to perform these tips. Thanks for sharing this wonderful information as mental health is very important for everyone especially when we all are suffering from these pandemic and uncertain situations. One more thing I like here is setting an intention as it will help us to find out what actually we want and how we get it.

    The various ways you explained are just awesome as all these are very simple and very natural to boost mental health. A must-read post.

    Regards,
    Rijhu

  22. If you want to spend a healthy life, you should take exercise on daily basis and eat proper food. If you adopt this habit, you will enjoy a happy and active life.

  23. Thank you, Jenn, for these specific, practical tips for maximizing the mental health benefits of a physical workout. I am definitely going to give these a try. I could use a boost right now. I have also shared on social media.

  24. Incredible article! Exercise of any sort can support endorphins in the body, genuinely necessary in managing the pandemic initiated pressure and uneasiness. It’s additionally critical to assemble insusceptibility.

  25. Great info. Thank you for sharing this fascinating information together.

  26. Very Nice Blog..!! Thank you for sharing this information with us. It is very useful and important information for those who are doing this blog commenting at the first time.

  27. Harshita says:

    I like the point “choose your music mindfully”. The combination of music and workout is my favourite.

  28. Thank you so much as you have been willing to share information with us. We will forever admire all you have done here

  29. I am great thankful to you from bottom of my heart
    because you gives me the solution of my greatest question
    I always confuse between excersize and meditation which I do first ?
    but finally i got the answer from you
    Thankyou so much Jenn

  30. always mediatate after work out this will grow our mind power

  31. Nice info thanks for sharing!

  32. Nice info really incredible

  33. These all are awesome ways to boost mental health
    I am getting results from today and that was awesome
    You are doing great job!
    .

  34. I love these tips! I’ve never given meditation a chance but after reading this blog post with these simple steps to help include it into a work out I will definitely be working it in more often. Steps 2-5 alone, made me want to get up and go for a run just so I could try them during/afterwards!

  35. Thanks for sharing these tips on improving mental heal condition. I will surely try to perform some of these methods. The proper work out helps also developing the physical fitness with improved immune system.

  36. Very helpful post. Thanks for sharing this with us.

  37. sattamatka says:

    It was a very good post indeed. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it in my lunch time. Will surely come and visit this blog more often. Thanks for sharing.

  38. What a superb post! I have no words to describe this post because everthing is clear with your wonderfull words. I really feel out of world reading your post, it is full of fresh and usefull. I really appreciate, keep the work continue.

  39. I personally like your article and thumbs up to you for sharing such a defined knowledge of mental health.

  40. Wow i really want to appreciate you for this article this is really helpful and i need this keep it up Thanks you so Much

  41. Unfortunately, I lack the time to go to the gym. All your tips are quite innovative. However, I want to know how you don’t feel lazy working out at home…I’m trying to find motivation, but I absolutely agree with you that we don’t need much to keep ourselves in shape.

  42. Incredible article for certain extraordinary tips. Much obliged to you for imparting this to us all of us. I energetically suggest ALL of it… Best of karma with your blog! It truly assisted me with boosting emotional well-being.

  43. Good information in this article thanks for sharing

  44. My search for similar blogs led me to your blog that is too much interesting and I enjoyed reading it. Thank you very much for sharing this.

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