I had the best workout the other day, and it was a day that I felt unmotivated, tired, and ready for the week to be over. I was too far in my own head, and going to the gym to get those endorphins helped me think clearer and realize that many things we worry about don’t even exist. The biggest battle is getting yourself to move when you don’t want to. Here, I talk about some ways you can get yourself up and lift the anxieties out of your own head!
Who deals with anxiety?
Do you ever find yourself knowing you need to get up….but instead you scroll on tik tok or end up looking at social media for an hour? Then you’re late. Then your day is off. Then you feel like a failure. Then you feel off and anxious yourself…and it’s an endless spiral, right?
We all have those days that we don’t feel like doing anything…we mentally may want to, but our bodies are tired or unmotivated to move.
Everyone deals with anxiety in one way or another. You may get it before you present to an audience, before you play in a game, or maybe over nothing at all. Anxious moments can catch you off guard, and make you feel weak…because there really is nothing to worry about.
BUT being anxious isn’t a weakness, it’s something you can use to make yourself stronger. You release adrenaline in the “fight or flight” response, and anxiety is your bodies way of getting ready to literally fight or flight.
So, how do you handle it?
You can use the voice of being afraid something bad is going to happen, and turn it into something good. You can shut up the voice telling you people are looking at you by looking at them first and smiling. And my favorite…you can conquer the anxious feeling of being tired but unable to rest or focus by EXERCISING.
Exercising helps me become more confident, energized, rested, less stressed, motivated, strong, etc…. but getting to the point of exercising is often the hardest part.
Small things to make you feel more motivated
Making a healthy snack, popping open a pre workout drink, and blasting pump up songs is a good way to get over that hump. Whatever it is that makes you want to move, do that! I have three strict lifting songs I blast when I need a burst of energy, and it works every time.
Getting over that hump can be hard, but small things you enjoy may help you find something to look forward to. It’s important to make sure you’re also ENJOYING your life….so spend money on pre workout you love, or makeup you feel good in…or even a few workout clothes you feel confident in. You CAN save money while enjoying yourself.
For example, lifting clothes, sneakers, new scrubs, lifting straps, organic foods, protein powder, etc… are all items I don’t need, but items that make me happy as well as set me up for success at the gym and work.
When you feel “bleh”, anxious, or as if you are disassociating with yourself you may feel forgetful, unable to focus, and too tired to do anything.
Do the task before you even have time to overthink it.
Maybe even buy the things that will help you feel more motivated to do this task.
Beat the anxious thoughts by doing what makes you anxious!
Simply walking into a gym when you don’t feel like going, is a win in itself. You already beat the anxiety, and you’re on your way to one of the best workouts you’ve had.
Why do we get exercise “highs”?
Exercise regulates neurotransmitters in your brain like dopamine and serotonin (feel good hormones) these endorphins lift your mood and often get rid of, or regulate feelings of depression or anxiety.
Cardio is good & may be for you, but I noticed that I personally get the “feel good” endorphins ALL DAY with no crash after strength training (lifting) and only for an hour or so after running, biking, spinning, or stair climbing.
So how does lifting weights help me think more clearly?
The specific anxieties I have are before work. I always worry about what will happen, if I’ll be tired, who I’ll work with, etc… I worry because no one knows those answers until the night is over. I’m starting to understand nurse’s “pre-work anxiety” and instead of accepting it, I used exercise to help beat it.
So, lifting before hand has changed my whole mindset to the point where I feel like I am pumped up and excited to walk in to work! I stopped wearing messy buns and no makeup, and bought scrubs I like, headbands that work, and I take time for mascara and makeup I like before hand. Most importantly, I started working out before work, rather than after.
Of course exercise will not fix serious problems, but it helps you get out of a “bleh” stage and back to feeling good and energized.
By picking up weights and working hard, you’re proving to yourself that you can do more than you think, without even realizing it!
Lifting not only builds confidence, but it reduces anxiety by letting you show yourself what you can really do, it provides some social interaction, the ability to see progress, and forces you to schedule time for yourself throughout the day.
Exercise isn’t just to look good, it makes you feel the best mentally as well.
Growing Healthies 
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