Fitness Motivation for Vacations: 5 Strategies to Maintain Your Drive
Maintaining fitness during the holiday season can be a challenge, but it's not an insurmountable task. A change in routine, group motivation, and finding what inspires you can help keep you on track.
Doing the same workout all year can lead to feelings of staleness and less reward. To avoid this, consider switching up your routine. This turns exercise into a fresh new set of accomplishments, keeping it exciting and enjoyable.
Research has shown that when dopamine levels are low, we respond better to guaranteed exchanges. During the holidays, the pleasure of not exercising can increase dramatically. However, exercising in groups can enhance enjoyment and perceived benefit from working out. Joining a yoga class, going to a gym that offers group classes, using a fitness app with a social component, and going on daily walks with a friend, roommate, or family member are examples of group motivation.
Some evidence suggests that when we're in a good mood and our dopamine levels are high, we receive rewards more positively. This means that maintaining a positive mindset can help us view exercise as a more rewarding experience.
Adjusting expectations and workouts during the holidays can also help avoid feelings of unmotivation. It's important to remember that the holiday season is a time when exercise may lose its priority for some people. Skipping a gym session or not being able to get to the gym during the holidays is acceptable, as long as individuals don't stress about it.
Making sure exercise stays fun throughout the festive period with incentives like treats or rewards can help maintain motivation. For instance, setting a goal to complete a certain number of workouts and rewarding yourself with a favourite treat can be a great motivator.
A 2021 study found that people tend to prefer exercise over leisure activities due to a perceived reward. However, during the holidays, the pleasure of not exercising increases dramatically. Research shows that controlled motivation, or external motivation, can help individuals stick to their regular fitness routine. Figuring out what inspires you can help you stay motivated, and this can be different for everyone.
In Germany, fitness apps with a social component for group training include Goldenbody, Hansefit, and Polar Club. These apps offer booking and participation in group workouts, access to numerous online live courses, and a large partner network for group activities nationwide, respectively.
Maintaining the motivation to exercise during the holidays lets individuals enjoy the season without worrying as much about the potential health impact. So, whether you're a seasoned gym-goer or just starting your fitness journey, remember to stay motivated and have fun with your workouts this holiday season.
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