Having the motivation to maintain a workout routine is not an easy task, especially when you’re depressed. Exercising regularly can help reduce symptoms of depression, but sometimes it’s hard to find the motivation to get started. If you’re struggling to workout because of your depression, here are a few tips that might help.
Table of Contents
- 1. Make Your Workout Something You Actually Want To Do
- 2. Ask Yourself Why You Workout
- 3. Set Small Goals
- 4. Find a Support Group
- 5. Get Professional Help
- 6. Make it a Habit
- 7. Keep Track of Your Depression is Improved After Workout
- 8. Commit to Consistency
- 9. Record Your Triumphant Moments
- 10. Treat Yourself Regularly
- 11. Intrinsic Motivation
- Final Thought
1. Make Your Workout Something You Actually Want To Do
This may be the most important tip of all. If you’re not enjoying your workouts, you’re probably not going to stick with them. Make sure to find an activity that you actually enjoy so that working out doesn’t feel like a chore.
There are endless possibilities when it comes to exercising, so experiment until you find something that you like. Once you find an activity you enjoy, you’ll be much more likely to stay motivated.
2. Ask Yourself Why You Workout
It’s important to find your reason for working out, especially when you’re depressed. What are your goals? What do you hope to achieve by exercising regularly? Keep your goals in mind when you’re struggling to find the motivation to workout. Remembering why you’re doing it can be a powerful motivator.
3. Set Small Goals
When you’re setting goals, it’s important to make sure they’re realistic. Trying to set large fitness goals when you’re depressed can be daunting and may make you less likely to stick with your routine.
Instead of thinking about how much weight you want to lose or how many miles you want to run, focus on smaller goals that you can achieve each day or week.
For example, you could commit to working out three times a week for 20 minutes each time. As you start to see progress, you can increase the frequency or duration of your workouts.
4. Find a Support Group
If you’re struggling to stay motivated, it can be helpful to find a support group. There are many online and in-person groups that can offer encouragement and advice. Talking to others who are going through the same thing can help you feel less alone and more motivated to keep going.
5. Get Professional Help
If you’re feeling particularly down, it’s important to get professional help. Depression is a serious condition that can be difficult to manage on your own. If you’re struggling to motivate yourself to workout, talk to your doctor or mental health professional. They can help you develop a plan to get the most out of your workouts and improve your overall mental health.
6. Make it a Habit
The more you workout, the easier it will become. Eventually, working out will become a habit and you won’t have to think about it as much. To make it easier to stick with your routine, try to exercise at the same time each day. If you can make working out a part of your daily routine, you’ll be more likely to stick with it in the long run.
7. Keep Track of Your Depression is Improved After Workout
If you’re depressed, it’s important to keep track of how your mood changes after your workout. For many people, exercise can be an effective treatment for depression. If you notice that your mood is improving after working out, it can be a great motivator to keep going.
8. Commit to Consistency
One of the most important things you can do to make sure you stick with your workout routine is to commit to consistency. This means working out even when you don’t feel like it, and not skipping workouts just because you had a bad day. Forming a consistent habit will take time and effort, but it’s worth it in the long run.
9. Record Your Triumphant Moments
Whenever you have a great workout, make sure to take a photo or write about it in a journal. This will help you remember the good times and give you something to look back on when you’re feeling down.
10. Treat Yourself Regularly
Depression can make it hard to enjoy life, but it’s important to remember to treat yourself. Make sure to schedule some time for activities that you enjoy, like getting a massage or going out to eat. When you give yourself a break from your workout routine, you’ll be more likely to stick with it when you start again.
11. Intrinsic Motivation
Intrinsic motivation is the desire to do something because it’s personally rewarding, not because of external rewards like money or prizes. When you’re intrinsically motivated, you’re more likely to stick with a task because you enjoy it and it makes you feel good.
To be intrinsically motivated, find an activity that you enjoy and make sure to set personal goals that are challenging but achievable. Remember why you’re doing it and focus on the positive changes you’re making.
Final Thought
Depression can make it hard to find the motivation to workout, but it’s important to stick with it. Exercise can be an effective treatment for depression, so it’s worth the effort. To stay motivated, try making it social, setting realistic goals, and finding a support group. If you’re struggling, get professional help. With a little effort, you can find the motivation to keep moving.
