Moving to a new city can be a stressful and intense experience. Once it’s over, you’ll want to treat your body to some nice, productive therapy — also known as working out! Working out is a great way to help yourself physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially, and it’s the perfect way to recuperate after a stressful and grueling move. Here’s how starting a gym membership after your move can benefit you:
Meet new people
Sure, there are ways you can exercise without joining a gym. You can walk/run outside, buy a treadmill to use at home, or do exercise videos in front of your PC. But all of those lack the social component that joining a gym affords. When you turn working out into a social activity, you not only reap the benefits of the physical workout, but you give yourself the opportunity to expand your social circles. And after a move, that’s certainly one of your top priorities!
Reduce stress
Moving is stressful; you have to find moving services, transport your belongings, and say goodbye to everything that was familiar to you. You may think that once you move, the hard part is over, but the fact is, there are different stresses to deal with after you move! Settling in, meeting new people, learning the ins and outs of a new neighborhood, and more. If you’re feeling stressed after your move, joining a gym is a great idea — studies show that physical exercise can help lower stress, which is just the thing you need to keep you calm and focused after a move.
Feel more energized
While it may be counterintuitive, the more you exercise, the more energy you have. And when you’re starting over in a new home, you’ll need energy for lots of things: Unpacking, getting your space organized, meeting new people, starting a new job, even just going out and exploring the city. Joining a gym and exercising regularly can give you the energy you need to function at your highest capacity.
Improve brain function
Exercise isn’t just good for your body, it’s good for you brain. Studies show that regular cardiovascular exercise improves brain function, including memory and creativity. That means that exercising regularly can help you remember the names of all the new people you meet, and get creative when it comes to decorating your new home. Of course, improved brain function can help in all areas of your life, including career and relationships.
Fight depression
If you’re feeling sad after a move, exercise is a great way to chase away the post-moving blues. This is because exercise helps your body produce endorphins, those feel-good hormones in your body that act as natural antidepressants and boost your mood. So if you’re feeling glum about leaving your friends or if you’re having a hard time adjusting to your new environment, joining a gym and starting an exercise program can be precisely what the doctor ordered.
Moving is Stressful, But You Can Handle It
There’s no denying that moving is stressful, but starting a gym membership after you move can be healing in so many ways. It can also be the motivation you need to stick with a regular exercise program; when you’re paying for membership, you’re more likely to make use of the gym’s facilities and classes. And even though it can be hard to make time for the gym, just keep in mind all of the physical and emotional benefits that exercise rewards — all of which are especially important after a move.
