You're Exercising Wrong If Your Mind Is Somewhere Else

Being mindful while exercising is the best way to maximize its benefits, especially for walking and running.

This is because when people are mindful while walking or running, they’re more focused on and invested in their exercise, thus they’re able to spend more energy and burn more calories.

In contrast, if people’s minds are on other issues and worries, they’re not fully invested in their walking or running, and hence there’s less motivation for them to put in more effort and time into their exercise.

I go for a jog every day, mainly to lose weight and declutter my mind.

For me, and I’m sure for many others, there’s something truly refreshing and vitalizing about walking or running outdoors, as opposed to using the treadmill indoors.

This is because, apart from the fresh air, people’s experience while exercising outdoors is further heightened due to the constant external stimuli (e.g. sounds, sights, etc) and the basic need to be more alert in general.

These feelings we experience while walking or running outdoors, generally help put us in a more conducive mood and state of mind to exercise, thus giving us more motivation and energy.

Couple that with trying to be more mindful while exercising outdoors, people’s experiences are truly enriched and they tend to end up getting more out of their exercise.

These effects also can result in partial alleviation of certain mental and emotional issues, particularly stress and negative feelings in general.

This is due to the natural decluttering of one’s thoughts and emotions that are brought about by being mindful while walking or running.

Of course, especially for those experiencing such mental and emotional issues, people need to make an effort to be more mindful while walking or running, in order to truly experience it’s positive effects.

This is because, if some people already have established, strong negative thoughts and feelings before they begin their exercise, then it’ll be hard for them to be mindful and properly experience the positive effects of exercise.

Everyone should try and incorporate mindfulness while they’re engaged in their daily exercise routine. Doing so truly elevates the exercising experience as well as maximizes its benefits.

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