logo
episode-header-image
Apr 2023
48m 43s

Why We Love and Hate Exercising —And How...

NPR
About this episode
We all know that exercise is good for us — for both our bodies and our minds — but motivating yourself to hit the gym, take a run, or even go for a walk sometimes feels like the hardest thing in the world. There are constant rebuttals that arise in our minds: We're too busy. We're too tired. We need a break — we'll start next week. At the same time, we're bombarded by messages from people who are all about fitness — influencers with seemingly perfect bodies and a healthy glow, who convince us that we too can get into shape. It's a habit that many of us try to cultivate — yet often seem to hit a wall. On this episode, we look at the science of fitness, the evolution of cultural messages surrounding exercise, and how we can overcome inertia to start fitting it into our lives. We'll hear about how exercise affects our mood and overall health, different approaches to getting in shape, the real-life struggle of becoming an Instagram fitness influencer, and one couch potato's reluctant journey to getting active.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy
Up next
Aug 21
Back to School in a Rapidly Changing World
It’s back-to-school time, which, for millions of families across the country, means a return to bedtimes, shopping for school supplies, and frantic efforts by kids to finish their summer reading. On this episode, we explore how our fast-changing world is transforming learning and ... Show More
49m 30s
Aug 15
How Scientists Discovered Legionnaires' Disease
In the summer of 1976, when 2,000 people came to Philadelphia for a national convention of the American Legion, a strange illness gripped hundreds of attendees, and more than 30 people died. Symptoms included cough, shortness of breath, and fever. Was it a virus, bacteria, some s ... Show More
26m 32s
Aug 14
Protecting the People Who Grow Our Food
Farming is a tough gig — physically, and mentally. And it’s only gotten harder in recent years, with the impact of climate change and a shifting political and economic landscape. On this episode, we explore the connection between farming and health, and how these new challenges a ... Show More
49m 34s
Recommended Episodes
Jun 2024
Why is exercise good for your mental health?
This week, Health Check takes a deep dive into the evidence on the relationship between exercise and mental health. Not just whether getting moving can make a difference, but why. Claudia Hammond laces up her running shoes and goes for a jog at the seaside with a group of people ... Show More
26m 31s
Jan 2023
Move the Body, Heal the Mind
When we think about the benefits of exercise, we tend to think of what it does for our body, making us leaner, stronger, and healthier. But my guest is out to emphasize the powerful effect physical activity has on our brains too, and just how much our bodies and minds are connect ... Show More
47m 50s
May 2024
Why is exercise good for your mental health?
As part of the BBC’s mental well-being season, All in the Mind takes a deep dive into the evidence on the relationship between exercise and mental health. Not just whether getting moving can make a difference, but why. Claudia Hammond laces up her running shoes and goes for a jog ... Show More
28m 4s
Jul 2022
Dr. Jennifer Heisz | Move Your Body, Ease Your Mind
We all know how exercise and fitness can impact and improve our physical health. But, what about what it can do for your mind? Your brain? Your experience of anxiety, depression, stress and more? Your relationships? Your ability to experience peace and ease?  Movement can be an a ... Show More
1h 5m
Dec 2020
Alia Crum, PhD | Harnessing the Power of Your Mind
Your thoughts can dictate your reality. That’s the premise of the placebo effect, which clinical psychologist Alia Crum, PhD, has spent years studying as the principal investigator of Stanford’s Mind & Body Lab. On this episode, Crum explains how to apply the placebo effect to ev ... Show More
35m 54s
Feb 2021
Teach Me How To Get Fit And Motivated At Home, with Cassie Day
It’s so hard to stay motivated to exercise in the colder months, and when you throw in lockdowns, working out just seems impossible. We’ve heard from a lot of you that are struggling to stay active right now, and we’re right there with you. So we called in the delightful and moti ... Show More
47m 27s
Apr 2021
Exercise and the Brain with Dr. Kelly McGonigal
Dr. Kelly McGonigal wants to give you an intravenous dose of hope. The pioneering health psychologist, Stanford lecturer and serial best-selling author is back again to share her radical thoughts on how movement affects the brain. Today, Kelly gets us hopped up on endorphins as w ... Show More
16m 1s
Dec 2021
Mental Health Miniseries: Jennifer Heisz, PhD
When Jennifer Heisz, PhD, decided to complete an Ironman, she wasn’t looking to earn bragging rights. After years of researching how exercise can fight anxiety and depression, she wanted to feel the effects for herself. Then the pandemic closed her lab, shut down gyms and cancell ... Show More
39m 33s
Oct 2020
Why We Seek Discomfort
From climbing up snow-capped mountains in our boxers to running marathons with no training, one of the core pillars of Yes Theory is seeking out the big heart-pumping, mind-bending physical experiences that force us beyond our limits. But what’s the point of doing all this? Are b ... Show More
25m 50s