When someone experiences pain on a daily basis, it’s hard to stay motivated to live an active lifestyle. Participating in some form of exercise can have many rewarding health benefits to those who suffer - if done correctly. Here are some tips to keep you inspired to work through the pain and improve your physical and mental health.

Exercise at your own pace:

Cardio and other high intensity exercises might sound very daunting at first, so that’s where pacing yourself comes in handy. If you’re a runner, use a running pace calculator to find a comfortable pace that doesn’t strain the body. Starting off too fast can lead to burnout and muscle soreness; two things you don’t need as a person who already suffers from pain. Always start your exercises with a 5-8 minute warm-up. Not only will a warm-up prepare your body but you’ll feel stretched out and mentally ready to crush a killer workout!

Keep a positive mindset:

Positivity is key when working on your physical health. It can be easy to think negative thoughts after not being able to finish a workout, or not doing your best time, but keep in mind, your body is what matters. If you listen to your body, you’ll reduce chances of injury or any other medical conditions that could worsen due to overworking yourself. While exercising, your body will release endorphins that interact with receptors in your brain to reduce your perception of pain. These endorphins spark a positive feeling all throughout the body, keeping you motivated to finish what you started!

Reward yourself:

Before you start an exercise routine, no matter how big or small, set goals. Maybe you want to do 10 more pushups than you did yesterday or maybe you want to walk to the post office instead of the park. Whatever it may be, keep that goal in mind and use it to motivate yourself throughout your workout. When you’ve finished, reward yourself with something fun that you like to do. After a jog or run, cook dinner with a friend, or even snuggle up and watch your favorite movie. Rewarding yourself after accomplishing goals is a positive reinforcement that you can continue to improve every single day - no matter how big or small.

Find a friend:

It’s important to remember you’re not alone in your fitness journey. If you’re struggling to get out of bed in the morning, someone else is probably feeling the same way. This is the perfect time to find a buddy! Look for someone who shares the same goals as you and plan a time to exercise together. Having a friend with you during this process will hold you accountable for the time you have set aside to take that jog, walk, or run that you said you would do every Wednesday at 4pm. An exercise partner can also be there for you when you feel like you’re in a rut or need someone to talk to on bad days. This person will keep you motivated and positive to continue with your daily routine and never give up.

Use these 4 tips to stay motivated and not be afraid of your pain, but to work with it. Treatments like Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) therapy can also help. Our product, Oska Pulse is clinically proven to relieve pain. You can strap it on or near your point of pain while you're working, exercising, or doing many of the activities that you love. Click here to try it out!