9 Ways to Motivate Yourself to Exercise
Exercising and keeping fit is encouraged for everyone, but especially for people with pulmonary hypertension. Regular exercise has been shown to help pulmonary hypertension patients, and keep stress levels low and improve sleep.
Here are nine ways to motivate yourself to get out there and start exercising, based on tips from prevention.com:
Exercise first thing in the morning
Write a list of things to do the next day, then make exercise the number one thing on the list. Some people find that they are more likely to exercise if it’s the first thing they do in the day, that way they can’t put it off. Working out first thing also makes you feel super good about yourself for the rest of the day.
Exercise with friends
If jogging solo doesn’t inspire you, then go out walking with friends or find a gym buddy. Not only will exercise become a social event, you are less likely to bail if you think you’ll be letting a friend down. If there are no friends available, take your dog with you, he’ll certainly be pleased to get out.
Schedule your exercise in
If you’re not a morning person, then schedule it into your day at a set time and stick to it, treating it like an appointment that you must attend.
Check out Chloe Temtchine’s tips on how to exercise when you have pulmonary hypertension.
Only do what you enjoy
If you hate running, find a different exercise. We’re are all more likely to stick to exercising regularly if it’s something that we enjoy, rather than something we treat as a chore.
If you don’t suffer from PH but you have a friend that does, find out more on how you can support a friend with pulmonary hypertension.
Think positively
Instead of dismissing the idea of exercise because you have pulmonary hypertension, start thinking more positively and that you want to exercise because you have pulmonary hypertension Adapting your attitude will help motivate you to exercise regularly.
Do you know how you can fight back your PH with some breathing exercises?
It doesn’t have to be perfect
Don’t put undue stress on yourself. It doesn’t matter if one day you can cycle 20 miles and the next you can only manage five. Do what you can that day and take each day as it comes.
If you can’t go outside to exercise, you can try some breathing exercises at home to make your lungs stronger. Find them here.
Break exercise up
You don’t have to do an hour straight of exercise. For many pulmonary hypertension patients, this may simply be too much at one time. You can break your exercise up into smaller time frames, for instance, a ten-minute speed walk in the morning and 20 minutes of yoga in the afternoon.
Realize why you’re exercising
Knowing exactly why you’re exercising will help you get your priorities in order. Knowing that exercise can help you with your pulmonary hypertension is a great reason to go out and get active, rather than just thinking that “maybe” you should be exercising.
Set goals
Start with simple exercises and build up your strength and stamina, aiming for small goals each time. Don’t push yourself too much, but having a clear idea of what you would like to achieve will help motivate you.
Read more about inhaling, exhaling, and how breathing works.
Pulmonary Hypertension News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
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