It’s February once again, and you know what that means? We’re well and truly into Valentine’s season.
While we’ve previously covered the best workouts for couples and how couples can strengthen relationships through fun exercises, this year we wanted to take a different approach and focus on the idea of self-love.
Now the mind/body connection is nothing new when it comes to fitness, with studies evidencing “higher levels” of physical activity from those exhibiting a healthier mindset. Yet very few have dug deeper into how the principles of love and a healthy relationship can be used to improve your workout mindset.
Think about it, you wouldn’t stay with a partner if you didn’t enjoy their company so why should your workout plan be any different?
With the 14th of February approaching, we thought there was no better time to ask the question: how can the principles of love and ‘love languages’ be used to fuel your fitness journey?
What are the five love languages?
Before jumping into this dance, it makes sense to go back 2 steps and ask, what exactly are the “love languages”?
The concept was first popularised by Gary Chapman in his book The 5 Love Languages. He theorised that people primarily express and experience love in one of five of the following distinct ways:
- Words of affirmation – These people feel most loved when they are praised, encouraged, or complimented.
- Acts of service – Expressing love through intentional actions that make your partner's life easier.
- Receiving gifts – These people feel most loved and appreciated when they receive thoughtful presents.
- Quality time – This love language type is all about spending ‘quality’ time with others in a meaningful way.
- Physical touch – This language relates to those who primarily feel loved and connected through physical affection.
Contrary to what the name suggests, love languages aren’t just about how we communicate love. They relate to how individuals want to give and receive any sort of affection.
By understanding your own love language, and that of others, you can significantly improve communication and strengthen relationships
How can I improve my fitness using the 5 love languages?
So, how does this relate to fitness?
Well, fitness at its core is an act of self-love and care. As we’ve covered before, any form of exercise releases ‘feel good’ endorphin chemicals as well as serotonin (also contributing to improved sleep).
But just like with any relationship, you need to "speak the right language" to truly motivate yourself. As such, we’ve included our top tips for how you can tailor these love language principles to your workout.
Words of affirmation
While self-affirmation is by no means a substitute for the workout, there’s no denying that a positive mindset can propel your motivation and focus. The way you speak to yourself—before, during, and after —can shape your mindset, build your confidence, and create a deeper sense of drive when it comes to hitting a new personal best.
To get the most from this love language type, the first step is to clearly define what you want to accomplish. Whether it's weight loss, muscle gain, or improved endurance, knowing your goals allows you to tailor your self-affirmations and make them more personal to you.
Another good trick is to make these affirmations positive and present-focused, stating them as if they are already true. Something akin to “I am hitting my PB “as opposed to “I will hit my PB” can make all the difference. While it might take patience, you also need to believe in the truth of your words for them to be effective.
Quality time
Just as you would with your partner, quality workout time is all about setting aside parts of your week to focus just on loving your workout. Remove distractions, switch off the phone, find a quiet space and truly tune your body into your exercise.
Quality workout time also doesn’t mean doing it alone.
Finding a workout partner who shares your goals can make everything more enjoyable and provide greater motivation to succeed.
Also, remember to celebrate and enjoy any and all milestones while acknowledging progress and achievements, no matter how small.
By prioritising quality time with yourself and/or others during your fitness journey, you can make the process more enjoyable and ultimately more successful.
Receiving gifts
Applying the "receiving gifts" love language type to fitness goals might seem counterintuitive at face value, but rewarding yourself with something you enjoy after a workout can actually do wonders for your motivation and help avoid any signs of a workout rut.
The key here is personalisation; consider what would truly motivate you and try and link these rewards to specific, achievable goals. This creates a positive association with your fitness journey.
On the other hand, it’s important to pick healthy rewards that align with your workout goals rather than hinder them. Think things like spa days, self-care items, healthy treats, or even just dedicated time off for fitness and relaxation.
Acts of service
Those who thrive with acts of service as their love language might find it tricky to transfer this principle into their workout journey as again, you have to express these acts of service to yourself as opposed to someone else.
Our key tip to get the most from this love language is to focus on actions that support and facilitate your goals, rather than simply relying on willpower. This will then work hand in hand with a principle like words of affirmation. This might mean:
· Hiring a personal trainer
· Investing in protein powders and supplements
· Investing in more advanced workout gear
· Buying something like a fitness tracker to monitor progress
· Booking regular group fitness classes
And plenty more.
Beyond this, smaller acts can be equally effective in helping you smash your goals. Preparing your workout clothes the night before, scheduling your workouts in your calendar like important appointments, and prioritising sleep are all ways of serving your future self.
Physical touch
If your love language is physical touch, then you’re in luck.
There are plenty of creative ways to effectively apply this principle to your workout routine, most of which start with a focus on the physical sensations of your exercise. So what does this mean?
Well, try and create a heightened awareness of your body during exercise. Pay close attention to the muscles working, the rhythm of your breath, and the connection between your mind and body, making your workouts more engaging and effective.
Just as important is finding physical activities you genuinely enjoy, whether dancing, swimming, hiking, or yoga, pleasure in movement is key for those whose love language is physical touch.
While a more traditional approach, there’s also nothing better than a high five or a hug from a workout partner after smashing your latest achievement.
References
- John-Henderson, N., Tintzman, C., Counts, C., Mueller, C (2022) Health Mindsets as a Predictor of Physical Activity and Body Mass Index in American Indian College Students. J Health Psychol. 26, 12. Click here.
