Fitness is not just about how much you exercise, but also about why and where you move, says study

Health benefits of morning walks with pets: You don’t need to hit the gym every day to feel good. What matters is enjoying the movement (Image: Pexels)

Have you heard people say that movement is medicine. Recent research agrees that a brisk walk, a dance class, a some gardening, they all help lift your mood. However, when it comes to mental health, it’s not just about the movement.

A recent study from the University of Georgia has found that your reason for exercising, and even who you’re with, the weather, or your mood, can completely change how your body and mind respond to a workout. “It’s not only how much you move. It is why and where you move,” says Professor Patrick O’Connor, co-author of the study and a professor in the Mary Frances Early College of Education's Department of Kinesiology. So, a jog in the rain with a friend can actually uplift you more than a forced treadmill run alone. “If we’re trying to help people’s mental health with exercise, we also need to ask: What’s the context?” he adds.

Let your movement be fun and not a chore

The study suggests that it important to enjoy what you are doing. You don’t need to hit the gym every day to feel good. What matters is enjoying the movement. So if taking your pet for a walk, dancing to a favourite song, or playing gully cricket in your colony, makes you enjoy the activity, then these small things can boost your mood better than forced reps at the gym.

Also read | Benefits of exercises: Home workouts, walking, other easy workouts you can fit in your lifestyle

Group fun works wonders

Remember the joy of playing kho-kho with friends or running in the rain for fun? That fun matters even in adulthood. Exercising with friends or in a group class can give you a double boost, both movement and mood.

Weather, you like it

The researchers say external cues like weather or noise levels influence how your brain interprets exercise. Ever noticed how a sunny morning walk feels better than a hurried one in the heat? Context matters.

Purpose brings peace

It is important to burn calories but it is also important to feel connected to the process. Going for a walk to clear your mind, playing with your child, or doing yoga to calm your mind, these reasons add meaning to your workout.

Also read | Best exercises: 9 benefits of resistance training

Competition can both help and hurt

Scored a goal? Felt fantastic, right? But missed one and got blamed? Not so much. The study reminds us that performance pressure during physical activity can make or break the mental health gains.

Not all movement counts equally

Doing chores like mopping or grocery shopping involves movement, but rarely lifts your mood. That’s because it lacks intention or enjoyment. So yes, jogging in the park beats doing jhaadu any day.

Instructors and company matter

That smiling yoga teacher or your chatty neighbour on the walk, they shape how you feel about a workout. A kind voice or shared laughter during exercise make the experience lighter and more motivating.

Also read | Benefits of daily exercises: 5 medically-proven reasons why it pays to stay active

Even short movement, when done right, helps

You don’t need an hour of intense HIIT. Even 15 minutes of joyful movement, say, dancing while cooking, can shift your energy. It’s the emotional feeling around it that creates mental lift.

Long-term effects need better research

The study found that many trials on exercise and mental health are short and narrow. Bigger, long-term studies are needed to truly understand what kind of movement helps which people.

Heal through meaningful movements

When doing an activity that means something to you, is feels therapeutic That’s the kind of exercise that nourishes more than just muscles. If you like to go cycling through your old school route or spend time gardening and taking care of your plants, the movement becomes a therapy.

Do what makes you smile

Don’t force yourself into routines you dislike. Find what moves you, emotionally, socially, or spiritually. It’s not about steps or calories. It’s about the smile after the stretch.

Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis.