When you truly stop to think about it, there are so many wonderful reasons to work out. And honestly, the most valuable reasons to work out have absolutely nothing to do with aesthetics or vanity at all. Regular movement, even for just 15 to 30 minutes, 5 days a week, can have such a positive impact on how you feel both mentally and physically. The health and wellness benefits are so amazing that anyaesthetical benefits are just a pleasant side effect. And the wonderful part is, your workouts don’t even have to be intense to reap the benefits of moving your body. So you don’t even have to push yourself into a workout that you strongly dislike.
With that in mind, a strong and meaningful “why” is what helps to make regular exercise a habit. And you can’t deny that doing something that benefits your overall health and wellness is a solid reason to keep going. Certainly, it’s okay to want to get into better shape and enhance the beauty that you already have. But don’t let that be your only focus, my lovely. Let the deeper and highly valuable reasons to work out become your primary “why”. Because honestly, those high-value reasons are the reasons that you’ll keep at it, even on the hard days. And they’re the reasons that are truly going to elevate your lifestyle.
Regular Movement Benefits Your Mental Health
Moving your body is a proven way to improve your mental health and help relieve symptoms of depression and anxiety. I particularly find myself leaning into my favorite home yoga and pilates workouts in the Winter to help combat Seasonal Affective Disorder. And to naturally warm myself up, let’s be honest. But seriously, engaging in a lovely sweat session for about 15 to 30 minutes is wonderful for releasing those feel-good endorphins. No matter what season it is. And honestly, you don’t even have to break much of a sweat. Even a leisurely walk or a gentle yoga session will do the trick.
I also must say, a good workout really hits the spot after a stressful day at work. Or when life is testing you. I actually love workouts that allow me to symbolically kick or knock the stress out of my life. Not only do high-intensity workouts allow you to release pent-up emotions in a healthy way, but they also help to balance out your cortisol levels. And the same applies to gentle workouts as well. While also helping to regulate your circadian rhythm, making sleep easier to come by, and improving the quality of your sleep. And we all know that we’re much happier and less stressed when we’re well-rested.
Sharpening Mental Clarity and Boosting Creativity
As a content creator, sharpening my mental clarity and boosting my creativity is one of my biggest reasons to work out. Because honestly, the vast majority of the time when I’m feeling a bit foggy, all I need is a little movement. Not only does stepping away from my desk to work out force me to give my brain a break, but it also increases blood flow to my brain. Quite literally, working out aids in getting those brain juices flowing. Heck, I often get a creative spark back as I’m walking around the block or flowing through my yoga routine.
That said, exercise isn’t just a brain boost for creative ideas. It helps to increase your focus and boost your mental clarity overall. Perhaps, next time you’re struggling to make a decision or focus on your work, a delightful walk around the block can be in order. Or even a quick 5-minute stretch break. Especially when you realize you’ve been sitting or standing in one place for a little too long. Your brain and body will thank you for taking a break to move around. Whether for a full midday workout or a little stretch break.
Working Out Actually Helps You Feel More Energized
Sometimes, when we hit that midday slump and think we need a nap, what we really need is a walk. Or when we think we need to go back to bed in the morning, we really just need to roll out our yoga mat. Honestly, you’d be surprised by just how much a great workout gives you an energy boost. I often find yoga, pilates, walks, and dance cardio to be even more effective than coffee or tea at giving me a burst of energy. It’s also an immediate energy boost, and it lasts until my body naturally winds down for the evening. And it also becomes even easier to wind down for sleep.
That said, because moving your body is quite energizing, I’d strongly advise against working out more than an hour before bedtime. You don’t want to inadvertently hype yourself up right before bed. So I’d keep your workout far away from your evening routine. And I’d keep any movement in the last hour before bed very slow and gentle, to keep your heart rate down. But in the morning, midday, or even after work? Go for it, my lovely. Boost your energy without a single sip of coffee!
And one more thing, just be sure to also listen to your body, my lovely. Sometimes, we really do need rest over movement when we’re sick or truly exhausted. And there’s no shame in taking a nap if you need it over going for a walk. Or even intentionally sitting in meditative stillness, rather than doing a yoga routine. Listen to your body and your intuition on what your body is asking you for before you put on your shoes. Or before you jump back into bed.
Exercise Strengthens Your Immune System
I think it goes without saying that no one likes to be sick. Even if it’s a legitimate reason to call out from your day job, just give yourself a full lounge day. But seriously, I’d rather have my energy and not be feeling cruddy on my relaxation days. And take them on my terms, not some Winter bug’s terms. That said, exercise is a great way to help boost your immunity, as it gets those little soldiers in your body flowing. I’m talking about your white blood cells, as well as any vaccines you may have recently gotten. And as your body temperature temporarily rises during exercise, it helps to knock out any infections you might have before they have a chance to take effect.
Now, it goes without saying that exercise isn’t a sure-fire way to not come down with something. But the boost to your immune system will certainly help to reduce the intensity of your symptoms. As well as help shorten the duration during which you don’t feel quite like yourself.
And with that in mind, if you’re actively not feeling well, please listen to your body and allow yourself a rest day. Especially if you have a fever or body aches. But if your symptoms are mild and you’re up for light movement, keep it down to a leisurely walk, light yoga, or some stretches. Otherwise, give yourself permission to just play cozy games with a hot cup of herbal tea. Or to nap on the couch while watching your favorite shows. You can come back to your workouts when you recover.
Building Physical Strength and Endurance In Your Body
Building strength is not about being able to bench press hundreds of pounds at the gym or having muscular arms and legs to flex. It’s not even about how many push-ups or pull-ups in a row you can do. The best strength-building reasons to work out aren’t about showing off or even proving anything to yourself. The value in strength building lies more in how a strong body will carry you through day-to-day life. From being able to pull the seasonal bin down from the top of your closet with ease, to minimizing your trips back to the car after a grocery run. Or Target run. As well as having more endurance for those day-to-day tasks.
To use myself as an example, I always preferred the stairs over the elevator at my old day job. And staying active made running up and down 4 flights of stairs multiple times a day feel easy. Which, I must say, opting for the stairs whenever possible is a great way to get some extra movement in throughout your daily life. I think I’ll actually miss those back stairwells the most about my former job. Just for the built-in mini-workout.
But seriously, you’d be surprised by how much even light to moderate exercise can make the simplest parts of life so much easier. From household chores to sitting and standing, and to carrying your bags. And you don’t even need to own a single set of ways to build your strength. Nor do you need a gym membership. You can utilize your own body weight through fun workouts like yoga and pilates. All while also increasing your posture so you sit taller and appear more confident. And improving your balance to prevent potential falls and injuries.
Maintaining Strength and Mobility Later In Life — And Increasing Longevity
Honestly, the ability to age is quite an honor, and it’s something we should welcome with gratitude. But, certainly, we want to age with grace and maintain our independence as we reach our 80s and 90s. Honestly, being a healthy and fabulous 90+ year old walking around with classy spunk is the goal here. That future version of you is one of the best reasons to work out. As you’re doing her a big favor by choosing to move your body now. Regardless of whether you’re in your 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, or 70s. And you know what? No matter what decade or era of your life you’re in, it’s not too late for you to start building the foundation for your future wellness.
All the benefits of moving your body now will add up, my lovely. And not only are you boosting your longevity and long-term health while helping to prevent future illness, but it can even help keep your brain sharp. Sure, you may still slow down a bit as a part of the natural aging process. But your senior years are about softness and pure grace anyway. And maybe a little bit of “I’m too old to care what others think” mischief.
The Potential For Community Building
While I am a bit of an introvert, I still find it wonderful to be a part of some kind of community. And there is no denying that there are some wonderful communities for those who stay active to elevate their lifestyle and maintain their wellness. Especially those where you’re surrounded by like-minded people, who work out for reasons beyond vanity. It’s wonderful to be surrounded by people who are encouraging of your wellness journey. Whether online or offline. And honestly, some of the connections you make in these communities can blossom into such wonderful friendships.
I also must say, as a neurodivergent woman with social anxiety, the most helpful thing in relieving my social anxiety is actually socialization. And workout classes offer a wonderful, low-pressure way to socialize, while keeping the main emphasis on the fitness class. Plus, you already have something in common with those in the class, being interested in the same type of workout.
Conclusion
The best reasons to work out have absolutely nothing to do with aesthetics. Or even proving something to ourselves or others. Rather, the best reasons to work out all come back to the fact that moving your body is a powerful form of self-care. From giving yourself an energy and mood boost in the short term, to maintaining your wellness in the long term. Or even simply being able to carry all of your groceries from your car without ever needing to make a second trip. And the best part is, even just 15 to 30 minutes of light to moderate activity a day is enough.
You don’t have to do some high-intensity workout that you’re absolutely dreading for an hour, my lovely. And you can do it at your own pace, at your own leisure. And honestly? A workout can even be a wonderful break from the daily grind. Or from your screens. While having so many benefits for your overall health and wellness.
What are some of your non-vanity-related reasons to work out? Do any of these reasons resonate with you, or even change your perspective on fitness? What is the “why” that keeps you going when your motivation runs thin? I’d love to chat with you in the comments below!
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