Easy Workouts to do When You’re Feeling Down.
Do you know those times when you should workout or at least move a little bit but don’t have the energy to do so? Instead, you want to stay in bed and sleep? And of course, you know that this is bad especially for your recovery. For those days, here are easy workouts to do when you’re feeling down.
There are just days when we don’t feel like doing anything, and this is frequent for those who have a mental illness or those who are recovering. We are aware that we should get moving for our health.
But, the thing is, sometimes, that small motivation and will that we have is gone, that even waking up is hard.
The most frustrating thing is that this seems to happen every day. We wake up, drag ourselves to work (if we have no choice), and go back to bed as soon as we can. And this is very exhausting.
You may want to read this – Lack of Motivation to Exercise: How to Beat it.
Easy workouts to do when you don’t feel like doing it.
I know that it is hard but we need to get moving even if we’re down. This is for our sake and our health.
Here are some easy workouts that you can do:
1. Get up
This might not be a legit workout but when you’re feeling depressed, it can be. This is not an easy task if you don’t have the motivation at all. We might not sweat from this, but hey, at least we’re moving.
Getting up can make a huge difference. We can start from here, and then slowly do other stuff.
Get up, tidy up space, wash face, change clothes, clean room, and then so on.
2. Stretch
Stretching doesn’t require a lot of energy. We can do this lying down or standing up. It is one of those workouts that can relax you.
This may not be a workout where you can see immediate results but it has a lot of benefits: increases flexibility, improves postures, decreases body pain, relieves stress, etc.
Check this article for Total Body Stretches.
3. Dance
Whenever I feel lazy to workout, I join a good Zumba class. This is usually where fun moms and coaches are. Their high spirits never fail to cheer me up.
If there are no classes around, we can totally dance in our own space. Just turn on the music and start moving with the rhythm. This doesn’t have to be those with difficult techniques (well, if you can then go ahead!). Do some crazy moves.
Dancing can be so fun plus it can be therapeutic since it is a form of meditation.
4. Yoga
This workout can be intense but there are many yoga poses that we can do easily and quickly.
Yoga is an exercise for holistic health. Aside from the physical workout, the incorporation of meditation and breathing in yoga can highly benefit our mental well-being. Practicing it can calm us and give us clarity.
With yoga, we’re not just trying to move our bodies but also helping ourselves heal spiritually.
5. Take a walk
It is really hard to fight off that voice inside our heads especially when we’re alone. So, when we can, let’s go out and take a walk.
Walking is that workout that we always do but don’t realize. Many underestimate the benefits of walking because it is not as rigorous as other cardio exercises.
When we walk, we workout and appreciate our surroundings. We also get to soak in the sunlight, breathe fresh air and meet people.
You may want to read this – How to Find a Fitness Partner and Motivate Each Other.
Even if it’s hard, let’s get moving.
Working out for those who are not mentally okay is so exhausting. This is why it can be frustrating when people are like, “oh just go out, you’ll be fine.” We know this. They know this.
There are just days that all we can say “I’m tired. I don’t want to do anything.” And this is absolutely fine! It is okay not to do anything, to be not okay. We deserve a rest day.
It is definitely alright to let yourself rest, sleep, embrace your feelings, stay in bed, etc. But, make sure that you’re doing it to help yourself, not to sabotage it.
It is hard to get out of that slump but, we should know when we’ve already stayed there too much. Even if it’s hard, let’s get moving and get better again, okay?
If you need a community to help you, join our Facebook group where we help and support each other be accountable.
Rooting for you,
Meredith Blaise ♡
PS. Share in the comment section, what you do when you’re feeling down and how you overcome it.
16 Comments
Krysten Quiles
Love this! Yoga usually helps to bring my spirits up when I’m feeling down.
Meredith Blaise
Yes, my yoga mat’s always ready whenever I’m down 🙁
Sophy
Great little list!
Even a tiny 5 minute workout is still a workout!
Meredith Blaise
For real!
Valerie
This is the kind of positivity that I love! You’re right, just dancing in the living room is still exercise, and I miss my years as a ballet jazz dancer! I definitely should do that (I hate working out, so that’s a perfect alternative). Thanks!
Meredith Blaise
OOooohh yes, that’s a good idea! It’s also going to comfort you and bring you back to ~those~ times!
Margaret
I always feel better when I go for a walk or spend a half-hour listening to music and dancing. It’s the movement that gets something going in my body to lift my mood!
Meredith Blaise
SAME! When I’m sad I turn the volume up and dance weirdly lol
Julianne Hodges
I find myself ready for the gym when I get down. It makes me feel so much better about myself when I am able to accomplish something that benefits my overall health 🙂 Great post!
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Meredith Blaise
Will check this out!
Annalise
I loovvee these workout ideas! I personally enjoy walking or yoga on days I already don’t feel like doing much.
Meredith Blaise
These two seem “easy” but they’re not! Great workout when we don’t feel like sweating out too much
Ruth Shapter
I definitely find it more and more difficult to exercise when I’m feeling depressed. Pre-lockdown I would be all hyped up to go to the gym and then the next day not even leave the house. I absolutely love yoga, and going out for walks. Getting into the habit of doing these has really helped my mental health over time, and I really need to start dancing more! Thank you for sharing these 🙂
Meredith Blaise
OMG same 🙁 I personally prefer going to the gym. But, yes, these helped my mental health also!
Kari
I totally agree that moving your body is the thing that can help the most in the short term, but it’s the last thing we want to do. Such a hard spot to be in but you have to push through
Meredith Blaise
True 🙁 we just have to!