7 Mild Workouts to Stay Active When You’re Feeling Down
When you’re feeling low, chances are that the last thing on your mind is working out. However, performing a fun physical activity can actually make you feel a lot better, and it can even fight feelings of sadness. In fact, exercise can increase chemicals in your brain that are known to make you feel happier.
But when you’re feeling down you might not have the motivation or energy to commit to something like an intense cycling session or an extreme weight-lifting workout. Instead, try these light workouts that can boost your mood and help you stay fit simultaneously.
1. Stretch From Bed With Pamela Reif
If you wake up and feel like it is just one of those days when it’s going to be a struggle to get out of bed, try this quickstretching class from Pamela Reif on YouTube. You don’t have to leave your bed or take off your pajamas to do this workout. Plus, it’s only six minutes long!
So when you’re feeling low you can still enjoy the comfort of your bed while gently working out your body, including your back, legs, and arms. If you want to try out some more short, yet effective workouts, you can check outPamela’s YouTube channelor mobile app.
2. Do Light Jogging With Runna
Light jogging is a mellow exercise that can offer a nice boost when you’re feeling down. Runna is a mobile app that offers running training, coaching, and a supportive community. To get started, you can use Runna to create a personalized plan that suits you best.
What is your running goal, and what is your running level? These are the two aspects you need to contemplate when selecting a plan. Don’t worry if you’re not happy with your initial plan; you have the option to edit or rearrange your plan at any time. On the other hand, you can even begin a new plan or set up Runna strength training if you want toboost your muscle gains.
Download:Runna foriOS|Android(Free, subscription available)
3. Try Yang Tai Chi for Beginners
Like yoga, tai chi is a slow and mild exercise that can help ease the blues. If you want to learn tai chi step-by-step from one of the best martial arts around, Master Yang, then try the mobile app, Yang Tai Chi for Beginners. It is truly one of the bestapps for learning tai chias it keeps everything straightforward and uncomplicated.
The app features easy-to-follow, downloadable videos led by Master Yang that show you all the important tai chi movements. Alternatively, there is aYMAA Publication Center YouTube channeland various Udemy courses if you want to learn more from Master Yang.
Download:Yang Tai Chi for Beginners foriOS|Android(Free, in-app purchases available)
4. Do an Online Dance Class With STEEZY
Feeling down? Did you know that dancing can reduce depression symptoms, stress, and anxiety, according to anarticle from Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice? Whether you love salsa, ballet, jazz, or K-pop, you can dance your way to a better mood usingSTEEZY’s online platform.
When you’re ready for a good sweat session, pick your payment plan, and then choose from over 1,500 online classes. You can easily browse through videos based on your favorite dance category or instructor. The great part about STEEZY is that it’s completely beginner-friendly. Therefore, it offers cool features for every class such as loop, switch views, mirror video, and speed control.
5. Learn Gentle Guided Meditation From Michael Sealey
While meditation is not exactly a physical exercise, it can be considered a way to enhance your mental fitness while also boosting your mood. Adding in some meditation before and after your regular workout session can have benefits like less stress and emotional overwhelm.
Michael Sealey’s YouTube channelis full of fantastic guided meditations, deep sleep hypnosis, sleep meditation sessions, and lots more. Michael narrates all the sessions himself, with some featuring calming music and sounds and others being voice-only.
Try out some of his older, popular guided meditation sessions on YouTube, such asGuided Morning Meditation for Positive EnergyandGuided Meditation for Detachment From Over-Thinking.
6. Practice Your Yoga Poses
According to anarticle from The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, yoga can improve your mood more than walking. So when you want to combat sadness, yoga is a wonderful option. Consider downloading a simple yoga mobile app like Yoga Poses to gain access to tons of yoga classes.
For each yoga practice, you can edit the duration, difficulty, and sound options. This means you can personalize the classes to your liking. For example, you can change a quick 10-minute class to a lengthier 60-minute session or choose between six levels of difficulty. In addition, there is even a specific yoga session to improve your mood called Happiness Boost.
Download:Yoga Poses forAndroid(Free, subscription available)
7. Walk Outdoors or Indoors With Walkmeter and BitGym
Like jogging, walking is an effective method of exercise to lift you up when you’re feeling low. It doesn’t require any skills or equipment, especially if you’re walking outdoors. You can track your walking routes in real time using Walkmeter. Thereafter, you can use the app to view your overall walking time, distance, pace, and calories burned.
If you prefer walking indoors, you can use a fun mobile app like BitGym. BitGym lets you explore the world from your treadmill, whether you want to hike through The Swiss Alps or take a tour across Europe. All you have to do is connect it to your front camera or sensor and get moving. As you walk, you’ll progress virtually on the app, too, according to your own pace.
Download:Walkmeter foriOS|Android(Free, subscription available)
Download:BitGym foriOS|Android(Free, subscription available)
Always Make Exercise a Priority When You’re Feeling Low
It can be so tough to do regular exercise when you’re feeling down. You might not have a lot of energy and motivation, that’s why it’s best to opt for an activity that isn’t too harsh and instead go for something mild.
It’s essential that you do some form of exercise, as it can transform your low mood into a positive one. From yoga and tai chi to a calming walk around your neighborhood, try these mellow workouts if you’re feeling blue.
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