Tips to Train Your Brain to Love Exercise

A new study conducted by Florida International University has found that it is possible to train your brain to love exercise. The research, led by Marcelo Bigliassi, PhD, measured the electrical connectivity in the brains of people who are physically active and found that those who perceive themselves as being highly tolerant of physical effort experienced greater levels of “remembered pleasure” after exercise.

On the other hand, those who reported lower tolerance levels had feelings of “anticipatory dread” before even starting their workout. The good news is that you can teach yourself to be more accepting of movement, both physically and mentally, which can help you feel excited about exercise and crave it more often.

To achieve this, experts recommend adding appeal to the exercise you already enjoy, challenging yourself just enough, and sending your mind motivational signals. By incorporating tactics such as listening to music or engaging in positive self-talk during workouts, choosing a challenging yet achievable intensity level, and reminding yourself of the health benefits of exercise, you can rewire your brain to associate exercise with pleasure and positivity.

So, if you’ve always struggled to find joy in working out, know that it is possible to change your mindset and learn to love exercise. By implementing these strategies and making small, consistent efforts over time, you can train your brain to embrace physical activity and make it a regular part of your routine.