Overview
By nature, as humans
we’re moody creatures. And, as much as we’d love to feel good and be happy and
excited, it’s not always the case. Sometimes we’re anxious, distracted, sad,
angry, exhausted, anxious, or stressed out. Here are some workouts that are
best-suited for whatever mood you might be in today.
Angry? Try Kickboxing
Channel that red-hot
anger into one fierce, calorie-torching workout with some kickboxing! When
you're mad or upset, a fabulous way to get it out is kickboxing. Take all that
aggression and anger and give it straight to the punching bag -- it's a truly
healthy way to express it!
Rushed? Try H.I.I.T.
If you are feeling
pressed for time, try H.I.I.T. (High Intensity Interval Training) to get your
workout done in less time and blow off steam. After a warm up, try alternating
3 minutes of steady state effort (of about a 5 or 6 efforts on a 1-10 intensity
scale) with 1 minute of all-out work (at about an 8 or 9 effort) using your
favourite mode of cardio. This technique can work with cycling, running, etc.
Not only will you maximize every second of your limited workout time, you’ll be
putting your hurried, rushed energy to good use during each interval.
Distracted or Confused? Try Strength
Training
Got a tough decision
weighing on your mind? Try a good resistance training session. Strength
training can help you feel grounded. In addition to your brain focusing on the
movement and lifting those weights, your emotions will also benefit from a
sense of direction.
Anxious? Try Walking
Filled with nervous
or anxious energy? Take a walk! If you have a lot of nervous energy, a great
way to deal with it is by, quite literally, walking it off. Walking for just a
few minutes can calm your nerves and boost your mood, especially if you're
outdoors. In fact, studies show that walking is a proven way to help lower
stress levels, calm anxiety and even bolster your immune system.
Exhausted? Try Tai Chi
A low energy day
isn’t the time to push you to the max during a workout. Instead, try turning
your focus inwards and invigorate your body with a Tai Chi session. Not only
can Tai Chi help replenish your energy, but research shows it can also help
improve your sleep quality, lower stress levels and enhance your sense of
well-being, all of which may help you prevent the source of your exhaustion in
the future.
Lonely? Try a Bare Class
Up for some company
during your workout? Hit the (other) bare for a healthier happy hour! If you
are feeling social and want to spend time with friends, a group fitness class
is a great option. There’s a real sense of camaraderie and fun in this type of
group setting. Sweating side-by-side and commiserating together as you all
“feel the burn” could help you get more out of your workout. Catch up after
class at the juice bar or head out for a healthy dinner together – studies show
that having social support may make you more likely to achieve your health and
fitness goals.
Stressed? Try Cycling
Hop on a bike and
pedal away your cares (indoors or out) to relieve stress, raise endorphins and
give yourself time to think clearly so that you can handle stressful situations
with more clarity. Whether you take your bike outside and hit the trails for
some fresh air or lose yourself in the driving music of an indoor cycling
class, you are guaranteed to feel better once you are done. Not to mention,
tackling that challenging hill or sprint on the bike can also help you feel
more confident and better able to handle the pressure you may be feeling. When
you are completely in the moment and holding a pace that feels strong and
powerful, you are no longer thinking of anything else but getting to the end of
the road or the top of the hill.
Feeling Stuck? Try Running
Have you been trying
to solve a problem or come up with a great idea for hours? Stop what you’re
doing, and head out for a run. If you can't seem to find the right solution to
a problem or your creativity has gone out the window, go for a jog. The
repetitive nature of a running stride allows your brain to relax (since there
are no complex steps to follow or movement patterns to master), while your body
enjoys the uplifting rush of exercise-induced endorphins.
Worried? Try Yoga
Feeling worried? “Om”
away your worries. Yoga is a great mind-body exercise that brings you into the
present moment. Yoga helps quiet and calms your mind while engaging your body,
making it hard to stay worried long during a practice. Through movement timed
to breath, you naturally focus on the now, and let the worries of what-may-be
just melt away. If you don’t have a yoga studio nearby, there are plenty of
DVDs and books to choose from.
Motivated? Try Stair Climbing
Let your inspiration
create some perspiration by tackling the stairs! Climbing stairs not only kicks
your butt, but it offers a great endurance challenge and burns off plenty of
calories too. Head to the step mill at the gym or take on a few flights of
stairs indoors or out – there’s nothing like looking at the number of flights
you’ve scaled to make you feel extra accomplished at the end of your workout!
Sad? Try Dancing
Upbeat music and the
endorphins of exercise have both been shown to help combat feelings of
depression and sadness, so next time you are feeling blue, turn up the radio
and get moving! When you're sad you may not feel like dancing, but that's
exactly why you should do it. Don’t feel pressured to head to a dance class –
dancing solo may be best for when you are down. No need to worry about what you
look like or what steps to follow -- just allow yourself to let loose and enjoy
the movement and the music. It's kind of hard to feel sad when you have dance
music playing.
Energetic? Try Zumba
If you’ve got energy
to spare today, put it to good use with Zumba. This dance class is filled with
infectious beats that are sure to put your extra energy to work and keep it
going even after the workout is over! Pop into a class near you, or play Zumba
Fitness on your Wii for a super-fun, high-energy sweat session.
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