It’s good that this gets pointed out! I think the problem comes when people simplify everything to exercise = better mood when, as that one quote says, it’s the type of exercise — something you enjoy — that counts!

I’ve always been dumbfounded by this whole claim. Personally, I HATE exercise. Absolutely LOATHE it. I think it stems from childhood trauma of being the slowest/clumsiest/most unathletic kid in the class falling down in front of everyone and the embarrassment that follows… I would always roll my eyes when someone told me to just exercise I will feel better (!).

I’ve tried exercising. Genuinely. Tried. Even got into the habit of it so much that NOT running one day made me feel weird. But I never felt better because of it. It has always been a chore, a duty, a piece of homework I had to do.

The only exceptions have been snowboarding, hiking, and canoeing, things that are less seen as sports and more seen as activities. I’ve genuinely enjoyed these things, but sadly they are weather-dependent and not very accessible.