According to a study by Statista, the most common New Year's resolutions in 2023 were
Exercise more and improve fitness (57%)
To lose weight (46%)
To save money (46%)
Eat healthier (45%)
Now it's already March 2023. What does that mean for you if you made a New Year's resolution?
It means that you are either one of the 8% of people who are smashing their fitness goals and resolutions. Or you belong to the 92% of people who have already given up their New Year's resolution in mid-February.
If you are part of the majority who have difficulty reaching their fitness goals, this article is for you.
What are Mindful Exercises and How Can They Help You?
In our daily routine, we try to meet deadlines, hustle to check off all the items on our to-do list and fret about the results. The same goes for our fitness goals. In today's world of instant gratification, we get too caught up in reaching a certain number and get anxious when we do not see the "results". Eventually, we lose motivation and give up on the whole thing. Mindfulness involves being present and experiencing life NOW. Therefore, mindful exercises are a way of practicing body movements without attaching any results or numbers to them. Combining mindfulness with exercise can help you cultivate a sustainable fitness routine, reduce stress and anxiety and also improve your overall health.
Let us explore 5 mindful exercises for a calmer mind and a stronger body.
1. Mindful Walking
Mindful Walking or Walking Meditation involves focusing on the rhythm of your breath and observing your steps and surroundings. It is a great way to connect with nature while improving balance and posture. Mindful Walking helps to lower stress levels and rejuvenate. It is a great exercise to include in your morning routine or to take a break from work.
2. Swimming
Swimming is a low-impact exercise that improves cardiovascular health, increases endurance, and enhances overall strength. Focusing on repetitive breathing techniques and patterns and body sensations while swimming can improve mental and physical well-being. It is an excellent mindfulness exercise to reduce stress and improve mental health.
3. Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutation)
Yoga combines physical movement with mindfulness and breathing exercises. However, because there are so many different types of yoga, it can be somewhat difficult and overwhelming to incorporate yoga into your fitness routine. That's why Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutation) is a great full-body movement that improves strength, flexibility, and balance while reducing stress and anxiety.
4) Running
If you want to push your body and mind's potential a little further, running is a great exercise that combines rhythmic breathing techniques with repetitive body movements. Running has been shown to have long-term benefits for the body and mind. It improves cardiovascular strength, builds endurance, increases muscle strength, and reduces stress and anxiety, thus improving overall health.
Read more: How To Practice Mindfulness When Angry
5) Barre
Barre is a mindful workout routine that combines elements of ballet, yoga, and Pilates. The practice of Barre helps to improve posture and increase flexibility and muscle strength. It is also a great way to improve mental health as it reduces stress and anxiety.
Always remember that a mindful movement of your body will not only give multiple physical health benefits but will also help in emotional and mental health management.
It does not matter which workout routine you choose for yourself, what is important is that you look at your fitness as a way to worship your body rather than attaching it to any certain goals initially. There are numerous workout routines to choose from, but finding and maintaining a sustainable workout routine that brings you joy is the best fitness routine for you.
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