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The way we move is as much a mental experience as it is a physical one. For many people, the word “fitness” evokes images of repetition, effort, and discipline—early alarms, strict reps, or long cardio sessions done out of obligation.
But movement, at its core, doesn’t have to feel like a chore. When it’s fun, spontaneous, and social, it becomes something entirely different: something we want to do, not something we feel we have to do.
This is where the psychology of motion becomes so powerful. We are wired to enjoy activity when it’s part of play, when it involves creativity or competition, and especially when it doesn’t carry the weight of structured exercise.
Fun is a potent motivator. It overrides resistance, fuels energy, and sustains engagement. When you’re laughing, solving problems, or trying to beat a friend in a lighthearted challenge, you aren’t thinking about calories burned or time spent in a target heart rate zone.
You’re immersed in the moment, and that immersion is often what makes people move more—without even realising it. The outcome is fitness, but the process doesn’t feel like work.
Studies in behavioural science show that intrinsic motivation—doing something because it’s enjoyable—leads to longer-lasting habits than extrinsic motivation, such as doing something because you think you should.
People who run because they love the feeling of movement are far more likely to continue than those who run simply to lose weight or meet a deadline.
The same logic applies to all forms of movement. If an activity brings you joy, even a small amount, you’re more likely to do it again. If it feels like a box to tick, you’re more likely to avoid it when life gets busy.
That’s why holidays provide such a perfect opportunity to explore motion through a different lens. Travel naturally takes us out of routine, giving us freedom from schedules and the usual pressures.
In this freer state, we’re more open to trying new things, especially when they’re presented as fun, accessible, and low-pressure.
A spontaneous game of badminton, a casual dance class, or even a group bike ride feels like recreation—not a workout.
And yet, these activities get our heart rates up, engage multiple muscle groups, and boost endorphin levels just like more traditional fitness routines do.
The mind-body connection thrives in these environments. When you’re enjoying yourself, your body moves more fluidly, your breathing is easier, and your posture improves.
Fun triggers a release of dopamine—the brain’s reward chemical—which not only improves mood but reinforces the activity in your memory.
The next time you’re presented with the same opportunity, you’re more likely to say yes. Over time, this creates a cycle of movement that is driven by pleasure, not pressure.
Group activities amplify this effect. Social engagement has been shown to increase physical activity levels across all age groups.
When people move together—whether in a dance class, on a trail walk, or over a game of table tennis—they encourage and energise one another.
The pressure to perform fades, and what’s left is the sheer enjoyment of shared experience. This is especially important for people who have had a difficult or inconsistent relationship with exercise.
When movement is reintroduced in a low-stakes, enjoyable context, it helps rebuild a positive emotional association that can translate into stronger habits at home.
Manor & Ashbury Resorts have long recognised the psychological power of fun in movement. Their approach is built not around rigid fitness programmes, but around experiences that invite activity through enjoyment.
Guests are encouraged to try new things—not through pressure, but through playful discovery. Whether it’s swinging a golf club on one of the many on-site courses, taking part in a friendly table tennis tournament, or simply wandering through their vast scenic grounds, the emphasis is always on freedom of movement and enjoyment.
There’s no need for a fitness tracker when your day naturally includes steps, stretches, and spontaneous bursts of exertion wrapped in joy.
What makes this approach so effective is that it removes the guilt and resistance that often accompany structured exercise.
No one feels like they’re failing if they skip a morning workout, because the opportunities to move are built into the day—fluid, ever-present, and always optional. This psychological shift reduces the pressure to “stay on track” and replaces it with the curiosity to explore.
It also changes the narrative many people carry about fitness—that it has to be intense, that it requires structure, or that it belongs only to those who identify as athletic.
This more inclusive, experience-led style of movement also helps people reconnect with what it means to be active in the first place. For children, play and movement are inseparable.
Climbing, running, balancing, skipping—it all happens naturally and frequently, without structure. But as we age, we’re often taught to categorise activity: fitness is something done in a gym, movement is recreational, and everything else is sedentary.
Yet the body doesn’t know the difference between a set of squats and lifting a heavy travel bag, or between a cardio session and chasing someone in a game of tag. What matters is that you’re moving, and enjoying it enough to want to do it again.
This playful model of activity also adapts well to different ages, fitness levels, and interests. Not everyone wants to sweat through a spin class or follow a complex fitness app.
But most people are happy to join a scenic walk, try something novel like curling, or engage in a bit of light-hearted competition over a game of short mat bowls.
These activities are approachable, social, and often nostalgic—tapping into memories of summer holidays or childhood games.
They rekindle a sense of ease around movement, stripping away the fear of judgment or failure that can come with performance-focused fitness.
Perhaps most importantly, fun-based movement helps people build confidence in their own bodies. It shows them what they’re capable of without framing it as a challenge to be conquered.
That confidence spills over into other areas of life. When you return from a holiday where you moved naturally and joyfully every day, you’re more likely to carry that energy home.
You may start choosing the stairs more often, walking after dinner, or joining a local game or class—not because you feel obligated, but because it feels good.
The psychology of motion is rooted in enjoyment, freedom, and presence. When movement becomes an extension of pleasure rather than a response to guilt, the body responds differently—and so does the mind.
The more we shift away from forced fitness and toward fun, the more consistent, beneficial, and lasting our movement habits become. Holidays are the perfect place to rediscover that truth. All it takes is a bit of curiosity, an open mind, and the willingness to say yes to something fun.
