Exercise as Self-Care: Move Your Body So You’ll Feel Your Best!

A Fresh Way to Think About Exercise

After a long day of work, errands, and the constant demands of family life, exercise can feel like one more task on a never-ending to-do list. But what if exercise as self-care wasn’t about earning calories or “earning” food – and instead became one of the simplest and most powerful ways to care for yourself?

Moving your body is more than just fitness. It’s a way to reduce stress, increase energy, improve your mood, and reconnect with yourself. Exercise as self-care is about moving your body in ways that feel natural and sustainable. In this post, I’ll explore how reframing exercise in this way can help you feel your very best.

Why Exercise as Self-Care Matters

When you think of self-care, massages and bubble baths may come to mind, but movement is one of the most beneficial forms of self-care that you can try.

• Boosts Mood: Exercise triggers the release of endorphins – those feel-good hormones that ease stress and reduce anxiety.
• Supports Weight Management: Whether it’s cardio, strength training, or a mix, exercise helps burn calories and build muscle, boosting your metabolism.
• Protects Joints and Bones: Weight-bearing exercises are essential for maintaining bone density. Flexibility exercises improve balance and reduce the risk of injury.
• Improves Mental Clarity: Exercise can clear brain fog and improve focus.
• Increases Energy: Regular movement promotes deeper sleep, and gives you more energy throughout the day.

The best part is that you don’t need a gym membership to stay active and gain these benefits!

Types of Exercise as Self-Care You Can Try

Movement comes in many forms, and the best exercise as self-care is whatever you enjoy and will stick with. For optimal health, aim for a a combination of gentle movement, strength-training sessions, sprint workouts, regular flexibility work, and some fun too.

• Gentle movement: Activities such as walking outside, yoga, or stretches to release tension
• Strength-training: Bodyweight, dumbbells, resistance bands, or kettlebell workouts that build resilience and confidence
• Sprints: Pushing your body out of its comfort zone for short bursts of time during running, biking, or bodyweight workouts
• Playful movement: Dancing in your living room, playing tag with your kids – movement can be fun too!

The key is variety so you don’t get bored. Some days your body may want a slow stretch, while other days you’ll want to lift some heavy weights. Both are appropriate forms of exercise as self-care.

How to Make Exercise as Self-Care a Sustainable Habit

Consistency matters more than how hard you are exercising. Instead of forcing yourself into a rigid routine, think about gradually incorporating exercise as self-care into your lifestyle. Here are some tips to help you get started:

1. Schedule it like an appointment, especially until it becomes part of your routine. However, do still give yourself grace to make adjustments to your plans when necessary.
2. Make it enjoyable. I love to listen to fun podcasts during my outdoor walks. You can pair your exercise with music too.
3. Start small at first and work up to longer periods of exercise. 10-minute workouts build momentum and help you stay consistent.
4. Track what matters. Focus on how you feel, not just numbers on the scale or a fitness tracker.
5. Aim for consistency over intensity. Pushing yourself too hard can raise your stress hormones and leave you feeling drained instead of energized.

Remember that exercise isn’t about punishing your body. It’s about celebrating how strong you are!

Quick Exercise as Self-Care Practices You Can Start Today

If you’re ready to begin, here are some of my favorite ways to incorporate exercise as self-care into your day:

• Stretch for 5 minutes in the morning to help your body wake up.
• Take a brisk walk (however long you have time for) before school pick-up.
• Go on a quick bike ride in your neighborhood.
• Take a 10-minute dance break – just turn music on and dance!
• Find a 10-20 minute yoga class online.
• Try one of these quick workouts for busy moms.
• Jump on a trampoline.
• Play a game of tag with your kids.
• Stretch for 5 minutes at bedtime to help your body relax.

The best kind of exercise or movement is the kind that you will actually do. Keep it fun and simple, and be kind to your body.

Bringing Exercise Into Your Daily Life

Exercise as self-care is about moving your body in ways that support both your health and your happiness. Whether it’s walking, lifting, stretching, or dancing, exercise as self-care is one of the most powerful ways to feel your best and recover from mom burnout.

This week, choose one small movement habit to add to your routine and notice how it shifts your energy and mood. You might be surprised by how much happier, calmer, and stronger you feel.

Your self-care journey starts with movement.