Low Motivation Movement

The colder weather can make some of us slow down. Either you don’t have the time or you don’t have the motivation when you’re a student. It is a cruel cycle of not wanting to exercise and then feeling crappy after not exercising. To break this cycle, you just need to increase movement in your life. When you don’t have the motivation to exercise, here are a couple of suggestions for moving your body.

Walking

One easy way to start moving is by simply walking. Take a break from schoolwork, get up from your desk, put some music on and go on a little walk. It helps clear your mind of any stress while getting your heart pumping. It doesn’t even have to be long. Just walk around for five or ten minutes. Even just walking around the block gets your steps up and can improve your health.

Everyone has heard that we should aim for 10,000 steps a day. This isn’t just a random number. A study in JAMA Neurology found that 10,000 steps a day were linked to less cardiovascular disease, 13 types of cancer, and dementia. While 10,000 steps, which is equivalent to about five miles, can be an overwhelming goal for many people, it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Start small and work your way up.

Written by Lizzy Lee

Photography by Sydney Chen

Moving with friends

Another way to exercise when you don’t have the motivation is to do it with friends. Friends can make any activity more fun. They can also provide support and motivation when you don’t have enough from yourself. Ways for a group to work out together can include going on a hike or going to the beach to swim. You could also step it up a notch and get a gym partner. This person can keep you accountable and make workouts more fun.

Stretching

Stretching is an active way to start your day. I love my morning stretches as a dancer because it helps my flexibility. It doesn’t take much energy to stretch. You can even do it in your bed. This low-impact exercise has multiple health benefits. Stretching increases blood flow and loosens tight muscles. A calm morning or evening routine of stretching can help relieve stress. Routine stretching can also improve posture. If you don’t have your own stretching routine, there are plenty of stretching and yoga sequences online.

N.E.A.T. activity

Non-exercise activity thermogenesis is the energy we spend outside of eating, sleeping, and exercising. Increasing N.E.A.T. activity will help you burn calories without you even realizing it. N.E.A.T. activities can range from walking up the stairs instead of using the elevator to walking to destinations instead of driving. Choosing these activities can allow you to squeeze in some exercise when you don’t have the time to go to the gym.

At the end of the day, we can’t ignore the health benefits of exercising. Even when school is rough and you feel like you have no time for yourself, it is important to move your body to improve your mental and physical health.

Written by Isabella Albin

Photography by Gustavo Del Real Figueroa