Introduction
Physical activity is an integral part of a healthy lifestyle, but for many people, it cannot be easy to find the motivation to start a regular exercise routine. The social environment is an essential factor in helping to shape decisions about physical activity, and it can be an effective tool in inspiring us to be more physically active.
Main body
The people close to us, such as our family, friends, and coworkers, can have an impact on our decisions regarding physical activity. When our social circle is made up of individuals who are physically active and have a fondness for physical activities, we are more likely to partake in said activities as well. Young people, particularly children, are more apt to get involved in physical activities if those around them are also engaged in them (Rodriguez-Ayllon et al., 2019). Seeing friends and family participating in physical activities can be an incentive to join in, as well as a source of support and encouragement.
In addition, the availability of physical activities and facilities in our social environment can have a significant impact on our physical activity levels. Having access to a gym, sports facilities, or other types of activities can make it easier and more convenient to get active(Rodriguez-Ayllon et al., 2019). Accessibility to these activities can encourage us to participate more often, as well as provide us with the opportunity to try new activities. Finally, the social environment can affect mindset when it comes to physical activity.
Conclusion
Hearing positive stories and words of encouragement from your social circle can make you more likely to be physically active and more confident in your ability to reach goals (Rodriguez-Ayllon et al., 2019). On the other hand, hearing negative comments and messages about physical activity from a social environment can make them less likely to be active.
Reference
Rodriguez-Ayllon, M., Cadenas-Sánchez, C., Estévez-López, F., Muñoz, N. E., Mora-Gonzalez, J., Migueles, J. H.,… & Esteban-Cornejo, I. (2019). Role of physical activity and sedentary behavior in the mental health of preschoolers, children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Sports medicine, 49(9), 1383-1410.