How Exercise Helps Reprogram the Brain for Better Health
- Brainz Magazine
- Jan 19
- 6 min read
Written by Maxine Smith, Life Coach
Maxine Smith is a renowned career coach and mentor, best known for her impactful work within the corporate world. As the founder of Spirit Soul Solutions, an online coaching platform, she offers a wide range of life coaching services aimed at personal and professional development.
Reprogram your mind for a healthier you. The festive season has drifted away with all its easy, carefree energy, and it seems to have left a few extra pounds behind, tucked in places we would rather not notice. Energy feels low, motivation is hiding, and even the mirror has become something we avoid.
1. Analyse and unpack your health
Most of us feel a wave of resistance at the idea of hitting the gym, especially when it is not the way we imagine getting fit. Half the time, we do not even know where to begin. Do we try a spinning class, pick up some dumbbells, or just drift around in the pool? With endless machines, endless classes, and endless choices, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. That confusion leaves us stuck, frustrated, and not feeling great about ourselves, so we delay it altogether.
How to define what exercise looks like for you and your lifestyle
We often treat exercise like one more obligation squeezed into an already overflowing schedule. Another routine to reshuffle, another box to tick. No wonder it feels draining instead of energising. And trust me, you are not the only one. There is an entire tribe, honestly, a whole village of villages, trying to figure out the “right” workout, the best time slot, the most affordable option, and the quickest results.
But before you get lost in the noise, pause for a moment. What are you actually looking for? What does your body, your lifestyle, your season of life need, beyond what social media insists you should be chasing?
Let’s explore fitness and how it fits into your life’s journey
I truly believe every transformation begins in the mind long before it shows up in the body.
So pause for a moment and ask yourself, "What does fitness look like and feel like for you personally?"
Mind fitness: Get clear about your fitness intentions, what you want to achieve, and which types of movement genuinely suit you.
Spiritual fitness: Nurture a belief practice that keeps you centred, grounded, and mentally clear.
Physical fitness: Schedule a full check-up with your GP and consider a comprehensive body assessment at a reputable fitness centre.
Together, these three pillars give you the insight and facts you need to choose an exercise or workout plan that truly fits your body, your lifestyle, and your season of life, helping you stay balanced and rooted along the way.
2. Mind fitness: Clear mental clutter
Sit in stillness, listen to soothing music, and form a visual in your mind of pure calm and tranquillity until you feel it in your body.
Breathing exercise
There are countless guided breathing exercises available online on YouTube, Spotify, and other digital platforms that you can easily download and add to your favourite playlist. Regularly using these practices helps calm your nervous system, improve circulation, and ease stress.
Stretching exercise
Do a few gentle stretches for your neck, arms, legs, and back to warm up your body. This helps loosen tight muscles and reduces the risk of straining yourself or feeling lightheaded once you start moving.
3. Spiritual fitness
Many of us are familiar with spiritual practices, but what does spiritual fitness mean for you? Have you prayed, recited a mantra from scripture, or developed a healthy foundation in faith to keep you grounded? “If you don't believe in something, you will fall for anything.” This was a quote in my Afrikaans teacher's classroom that stuck with me forever.
Prayer and praise
Say your favourite Bible verse that resonates and carries deep meaning for you, praise and worship. Have a gentle conversation with God to strengthen you, keep you grounded, and faithful in your commitment to your fitness journey. Spiritual practice contributes to your overall wellbeing. It extends beyond what the world presents in fitness, if at all, and feeds and produces results that mankind cannot prove nor explain.
4. Physical fitness
When last did you take a proper look at your body’s needs? Have you ever done a full health and fitness assessment to understand what types of exercise truly support your body? Before choosing a routine, consider the factors that shape your overall wellbeing:
Age
Body type
Past injuries
Bone density
Current illness
Fitness and health assessment
All the factors listed above influence our decisions when we consider exercise plans or select the desired gym programme. Most importantly, what suits your body is not the same as a recommendation from a colleague, friend, or family member. Yes, they all mean well and are looking out for you, but they are not equipped with your full medical history to determine what you need. Many people I know have either seen little to no results or, even worse, injured themselves and were unable to progress on any level.
Research fitness programmes
I recently decided to start my own fitness journey, not the “new year, new me” kind, but the “what actually works for my mind, spirit, and body at forty-something” kind. A friend suggested I try Electro Muscular Stimulation, EMS. At first, I had no clue what that even meant. Naturally, I did what any responsible adult does. I Googled it.
In my head, EMS looked like those hospital shock pads they slap on your chest in medical dramas. So yes, I called it “the electric plug workout.” But because I know my own medical history, especially my old back injury, I figured this low-impact, muscle-activating method might actually be a good fit. So I gave it a go.
To my surprise, it was fun, interactive, and slightly hilarious. The trainer controlled the intensity from her tablet like she was DJ’ing my muscles. She explained the dos and don’ts, kept everything safe, and never pushed us beyond what our bodies could manage. After a few dramatic “oh!” and “ah!” moments, I walked out feeling energised, lighter, and with a back that felt surprisingly supported. I could move more freely and with more confidence.
One thing I loved about Body20 is the small session size, just two people. You can even train privately, which is perfect if you prefer working out without feeling like the entire gym is silently judging your squats. For me, it was exactly the environment I needed, supportive, comfortable, and aligned with the season of life I am in. Read more on Body20.
5. Wellbeing conversations
Start paying attention to your body’s signals, the dull aches you keep brushing off, the “quick painkiller” discomforts, and the areas that feel heavier, tighter, or more sensitive than usual. These are not inconveniences, they are information. When you listen closely, your body tells you what it needs. Use those clues to choose the kind of movement or care that truly supports you and makes you feel safe, confident, and aligned with your health.
Paid memberships and discounts
We pour money into so many things, such as education, cars, homes, sneakers, bags, and entertainment, and we rarely question it. But when it comes to our health, we hesitate. The truth is, investing in your wellbeing is not another expense or another chore squeezed into your calendar. It is an investment that pays you back for the rest of your life.
Many fitness centres even make the first step easier with free trial sessions, demo classes, or discounted rates through certain medical aid partners. The support is there, you just have to take the first step.
This is your body, your health, your future. Choose to invest in it now, while you still have the power to shape it.
Seek mentorship and coaching
Partner with me for coaching that is tailored to your journey. I offer personalised plans designed to empower your growth, illuminate your path, and equip you with actionable insights drawn from years of expertise. Whether you are navigating transition or building momentum, you will gain focused support and meaningful guidance, every step aligned to your unique goals. Book a free 30-minute discovery call today. Let’s work together.
Read more from Maxine Smith
Maxine Smith, Life Coach
Maxine Smith is the inspiring leader of Spirit Soul Solutions, an online coaching platform. Her own career challenges and the search for a place where she could thrive and grow led her to this path. Maxine's work is deeply rooted in transforming limiting beliefs and changing patterns that no longer serve her in all areas of life. She believes in continuous self-improvement and views herself as a work in progress, constantly evolving to help others do the same.
