One of the absolute best ways to calm your stress that is in overdrive when divorcing a narcissist is to exercise. Stress releases the hormones epinephrine and norepinephrine which are designed to help us fight or flee stressful situations. Of course, divorce stress is mostly mental, not physical. Alcohol, stress eating, or substance use may temporarily make you feel calmer when under stress, but only exercise burns up and uses these stress hormones and brings their levels back to normal levels.
Some of my patients share that they have never liked exercise or in fact hate it. Some of them will force themselves to exercise anyway because they understand the health benefits. However, having exercise occur as something you love instead of something you have to do is a profound mind shift that can be life changing. Considering consistent exercise is vital to earn both physical and mental benefits, I will share some of the successful mind sets and workout habits of people who love to exercise. You can be one of them.
10 Habits of People Who Love to Workout
1. Get Out in Nature.
Exercise is much more than pedaling on a stationary bike or pumping weights at the gym. Workout enthusiasts embrace the outdoors and get out in nature. From hiking trails, to swimming lakes, to skiing slopes, open the window of opportunity to fresh air and outdoor workout habits! People who spend thirty minutes outdoors in good weather have a higher level of positivity overall which is then additive to the benefits of exercise.
2. Do Not Foresee It as Punishment.
Devoted exercisers do not use workouts as “punishment” for a weekend bender or overindulging on cookies. Instead of serving a workout sentence, they know they can walk off the line, enjoy life’s indulgences, and naturally hop back on it.
3. Embrace the Workouts They Enjoy.
While they are apt to seek out and experiment with various exercises, there is a common understanding that not all workouts will be enjoyed. So if running is not gratifying, people who love to workout are not afraid to hook on their bicycle helmet in the running shoes’ place.
4. Seek Out Feedback.
Much like in all areas of life, individuals like to know their performance levels and personal growths. And rather than being passive regarding input, they are proactive and seek out feedback through word of mouth, activity tracker, or fitness app.
5. Apply the Buddy System.
Along with enjoying exercise itself, they also enjoy doing it with others. Workout buddies can be personal friends and family members, racers at local running groups, coworkers from the office, or routine members at workout classes. Your workout buddies can be motivators and supporters to you, in your exercise goals and your life goals.
6. Dismiss Weight.
Although weight loss is a motivating factor, people who love to workout tend to dismiss the concept of weight. Rather than fixating on numbers the scale might display, they relish how exercise transcends into overall well-being. Whether to relieve a stressful day or gain strength, people who love to workout focus most attention on the way a workout makes them feel rather than look.
7. Break Free of Tradition.
Indoors or outdoors, with equipment or without, it really does not matter how they get active, but the mere fact that they do. They have no trouble making the most out of their environment and resources at hand. From using a resistance band or using bleachers at the local football field, they are comfortable breaking free of traditional workouts and embrace all atmospheres.
8. Do Not Dwell On Setbacks.
Not all boxes may be checked and not all goals might not be met, that is just a basic fact of life. But rather than dwelling on setbacks, people who love to workout wipe off their hands and come back with powerful forces. So even if projected targets are not achieved when or as anticipated, they continually shoot the arrow and grow closer to the bull’s-eye!
9. Live A Total Healthy Lifestyle.
People who love to workout recognize not just the power of exercise, but the total interconnections of all health factors. From diet to sleep, they understand the importance of eating more mindfully, allowing stress to roll off the shoulders, and achieving adequate sleep. Not only do they fall in love with exercise, but live to their greatest potential in all aspects of health.
10. Fall in Love with Exercise.
Instead of viewing exercise as a chore, people who love to workout actually fall in love with exercise. In fact, working out may be one of the greatest parts of their days! They pack a gym bag and actually get into the gym after a long day, even sneaking in other bouts of movement whenever the opportunity arises.
Divorcing a narcissist allows you to get on with your best life. By focusing on what you can focus on, like framing your exercise habits, you are actively creating your best life instead of just reacting to the stress around you.
