Remember that feeling after a good walk or workout? Your mind feels clearer. Your mood lifts. And your body feels more alive. The link between your mind and body is stronger than many realize. Exercise nurtures that link in a powerful way, improving both mental and physical health.
When you exercise, you experience a release of a number of chemicals that can help to naturally improve mood. And the benefits go beyond mood. You can also experience improved sleep, clearer thinking, and greater resilience.
Sustainable exercise routines start with connecting movement to what matters most to you. Our personal values can serve as our North Star.Values are not goals to achieve but rather directions to move toward. They represent what matters most to us. Whether it is connection, creativity, compassion, or courage – knowing what truly matters helps us make decisions that align with who we are or who we want to become.
When we connect physical activity to our core values, exercise can change from a chore into a meaningful practice. Think of someone who values resilience. Each workout can become an act of building a more resilient mindset. Maybe for you, connection matters most. You can try group fitness classes to bring that connection into your workouts.
Identifying our values is the first step. Then there are a number of practical Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) tools to help move us from intention to action:
- Challenge unhelpful thoughts. Transform “I’m too tired” into “Even ten minutes of movement will energize me”.
- Create small behavior experiments. Test and track whether brief daily walks actually improve your mood.
- Use habit science. Add brief movement to existing routines like stretching right after brushing your teeth in the morning or doing squats while you wait for your coffee to brew.
The journey toward better mental and physical health does not require huge life changes. Small, consistent steps aligned with your values create lasting change. Consider what type of movement you can add to your routine today. Schedule it in. And if you want to dive deeper: Learn to Live has several programs and resources that can help you align your daily physical activities with your values. This can bring you one step closer to your well-being goals.
