5 Distractions to Eliminate for a Perfect Workout

We all dream of our workout being peaceful, invigorating and highly focused. Maintaining that last part, however, is a lot trickier for some than others. Some people get distracted by the smallest hint of a noise, while others get bombarded with constant distractions that impede them from working out to their best ability. In order to eliminate distractions, you first have to identify them. From there, you have to find a way to best mitigate the situation. Let’s explore five common distractions that prevent us from having a happy and healthy workout.

Animals, Insects, and Nature.

Those that enjoy working out indoors tend to want to get closer to nature, or at the very least, take advantage of the heat and sunshine. Sunscreen and sunglasses are a must to brave the sun. Animals, such as dogs, that bark or possibly run in the way of your walk may present a hazard you’ll have to deal with. They aren’t for everyone, but a lot of people should be able to handle dogs. If you encounter dogs or animals that bother you frequently, it may be best to find a new route. Bugs, on the other hand, are a different story. It’s hard to avoid bugs in the heat, so be sure to pack bug repellent. It’s best to stay away from grassy and floral areas, such as by walking on your sidewalk by the road, if you want avoid flies or mosquitos surrounding you. While they are unavoidable, if you take measures to prevent bugs from coming around you, you’ll start to see less of them.

Loose Clothing and Jewelry

Working out in style is a must for some, but not every outfit is the right fit for an exercise. Baggy clothing can get in the way of your arms and legs. Loose pockets can cause things to go flying. Wearing jewelry not only a distraction, in that you have to make sure you still have it on you, but it could get caught on the equipment you use. That makes it a safety hazard that you should remove before your workouts. As for baggy clothing, make a switch to more traditional activewear that sticks to your body. Now you won’t have to worry about having to roll up those sleeves or put your phone on the floor!

Cell Phones

If you want to listen to music during a workout, it’s totally reasonable to use your phone to change songs or make your ultimate workout playlist. However, answering texts and calls during this time is a big mistake. Unless it’s an emergency, it’s best to silence your phone to limit distractions. As mentioned before, a phone is also a fairly heavy item to keep on your person. Sometimes, putting it in a safe place out of your way is best to be of sound mind. You don’t want to have to worry about losing your phone if you know it’s in your bag, or your locker safely away from others and harm.

Responsibilities and Deadlines

We all have a life outside of our workout. That doesn’t mean that we should let them intrude on our workouts. Sometimes, it’s best to get the tough responsibilities out of the way prior to your workout. If you know you have a big paper due, or a report at work has to be done by midnight, you should definitely take the time to accomplish this first. In this case, you won’t spend your entire workout stressed out. Stress and anxiety cripple your exercise, because you’re not in the right mindset to motivate yourself. This can lead to negative thinking, and even cause you to miss those deadlines you worried about in the first place. Keep your head clear before you exercise.

Intrusive Thoughts

Never let negative inner thoughts get you down! Part of the reason deadlines get in the way of our workout is because we continue to think about them. However, there are other intrusive thoughts that cause constant distractions. Some examples of negative thoughts include “I don’t look good in this outfit.”, “I look stupid using this machine.”, or “I will never be good enough.” In order to get rid of the negative thoughts, you have to turn them around to become positive thinking. “I look good in this.”, “I know what I’m doing.”, and “I can do it!” etc. You are your own obstacle in this situation, and the only way to not be is to force that change. Start practicing these phrases, and you will see the positive impact it has on you.

There are other ways of getting distracted during a workout, but these are just some of the most common. If you find yourself getting distracted by something not on our list, work out a plan to get rid of it ahead of time and make sure to keep a positive attitude before you begin a workout. 

Photo Credit: StockVault