So, instead of going for a quick walk, you cancel the exercise plan altogether. That choice may explain why many struggle to stay active, says a study in BMC Public Health.Researchers point to a hidden mental barrier: an “all-or-nothing” approach to exercise. People who fail to maintain routines often believe a workout must be long, intense and done exactly as planned. Even public health targets can feel like pass-or-fail benchmarks. Participants said they often enjoyed exercise earlier in life but felt stuck once routines broke.

Source: Economic Times March 05, 2026 19:21 UTC