Regular physical exercise is beneficial for health, but sticking to it can be challenging. Researchers have found that the reluctance to exercise is actually an instinct evolved by humans. To maintain an exercise regimen, individuals need to find ways to overcome this “inertia” of the brain.
A recent article on Time’s website explains that exercise offers various benefits such as improving sleep, mental health, and reducing the risk of chronic diseases and premature death. However, many people fall short of meeting the recommended levels of physical activity. Why is it so hard to engage in something that offers numerous benefits and isn’t particularly difficult? Researchers suggest that, besides factors like physical conditions and modern lifestyle, there’s a barrier: our brains are not inclined towards exercise.
For most of human history, survival relied on physical activity, like foraging for food or farming. Evolutionary biologists explain that while humans evolved to endure intense activities, they also tended to rest whenever possible. For instance, hunter-gatherers didn’t go for a jog to burn extra energy.
In today’s sedentary lifestyle, the evolutionary instinct to conserve energy persists, hence the reluctance to exercise is “completely normal and natural.”
People often opt for the escalator instead of stairs, a behavior driven by this instinct. While not inherently bad, modern life offers too many opportunities to succumb to the preference for rest, reaching a point where it becomes “detrimental to health.”
How can one overcome this brain “inertia”? Experts suggest building confidence. Studies show that those who perceive themselves as having strong athletic abilities are more likely to stick to regular exercise. Starting with easy tasks, like walking a few minutes every day, and gradually increasing intensity can be helpful.
Reframing what constitutes exercise can also aid. Exercise isn’t limited to the gym; even spending a few minutes doing household chores can be beneficial. The key is to stay active and find activities that suit individual preferences.
Combining exercise with other activities can serve a dual purpose. For example, cycling with friends combines physical activity with socializing. Integrating exercise with desired or necessary tasks can help individuals ignore the brain’s inclination to stay on the couch.
These strategies can help individuals overcome the evolutionary instinct to avoid exercise and establish a consistent fitness routine.
References:
(1) The New Science of Exercise | TIME. https://time.com/4475628/the-new-science-of-exercise/.
(2) RELUCTANCE | English meaning – Cambridge Dictionary. https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/reluctance.
(3) RELUCTANCE | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary. https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/reluctance.
(4) 10 Surprising Benefits of Online Learning in 2024 | Coursera. https://www.coursera.org/articles/benefits-of-online-learning.
(5) 14 Benefits of Online Learning: Advantages to Online Classes – Emeritus. https://emeritus.org/blog/benefits-to-online-learning/.
(6) 15 Benefits of Education That Can Impact Your Future. https://potomac.edu/benefits-of-education/.
(7) OVERCOME | English meaning – Cambridge Dictionary. https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/overcome.
Disclaimer:
The information in this article is for general information sharing purposes only. It is not a substitute for personalized medical or dietary advice. For personal health concerns and dietary needs, consult a qualified health care provider or dietitian.