Reduced stress and anxiety levels, better quality sleep. Sport has many health benefits. However, playing sports can be seen as a constraint when you don’t consider yourself an athlete.
Prioritize activities you enjoy
Doing an activity that you enjoy increases your productivity. It’s the same for sports: starting by doing a sport that suits you and you like makes it easier to get started and then get a feeling of satisfaction. This can be a gentle physical activity, such as walking or yoga. The most important thing is to try it to see if you enjoy it! “Happy hormones”, such as dopamine, serotonin, or endorphins, allow us to gain motivation and strength. It is therefore essential not to force yourself during the activity, and to follow your own pace.
Integrate activity into your daily life
Regular exercise is good for your health. Beyond physical health, it also helps improve your mental well-being. Incorporating physical activity into your daily life can help you establish a routine and maintain the motivation to continue. Again, don’t force yourself. Everyone progresses in their own way, and keeping your pace is important to avoid creating a feeling of failure.
Some sports practices do not require significant preparation or do not require being in a specific place: it is entirely possible to practice a sport regardless of where you are, whether indoors or outdoors. For example, daily commuting by bike or taking the stairs instead of the elevator allows you to combine business with pleasure every day.
Explore new activities
Discovering new activities can be a determining factor in maintaining your motivation to play sports. Discovering a new sport allows you to open up to new things. It fosters intellectual curiosity, like when you find out a new environment or a new universe. Since each sport is different, it is straightforward to move towards a practice that suits you and that is adapted to your lifestyle. In addition, many alternatives to traditional sports can benefit your health. For example, exercising during an activity such as gardening or housework is entirely possible.
Find a training partner
Having someone to accompany you in your physical activities can transform exercise into a social and enjoyable experience. Motivation is one of the most important factors when starting a sporting activity, and participating in sports sessions with a friend, family member, or colleague also helps establish good habits. Each session will be more enjoyable and allow you to combine sociability and physical exertion.
Trying a group sport is also a great way to discover a new sport while meeting new people. Sharing a common passion with other initiates is an important element, allowing you to stay motivated while allowing socialization, which is good for mental health.
Set achievable goals
To stay motivated, setting achievable goals is imperative. Indeed, to progress in your sports practice, it is essential to set specific, simple goals. Whether it is a healthier body, weight loss, or better mental health, you must know how to remain realistic and put concrete and easily achievable goals depending on your level.
Be flexible
In addition to setting realistic goals, you need to be flexible in your approach to sport. If motivation is lacking one day, you should not get discouraged. It would help if you were tolerant and kind to yourself because everyone progresses at their own pace.
If you need advice, especially if you haven’t done any sport for a long time or are hesitant to start again, our general practitioners in Livi can advise you on the practice to adopt according to your objectives and/or health issues every day from 6 a.m. to midnight.
