How Social Media Raises Awareness About Fitness and Health Among Adults, but Motivation Remains a Challenge

Zara Fathima
Aug 7
5 min read

Introduction

Social media is often overlooked when it comes to well-being, but is well known when it comes to addiction and scrolling. Although social media has its own negative effects if used addictively, it can be used for a positive purpose. Social media can be used to follow health trends and fitness guides which were not available in previous years, but now people have an alarming network around them through social media on fitness and health tips, which include workout routines, dietary lifestyles, and it is also scientifically backed up by doctors on social media itself.

Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube have become a base for sharing knowledge on fitness guides and health solutions, but many fail to acknowledge the importance of this critical information that is being shared with them online, as they just scroll through it but do not take action. Social media is raising awareness on fitness and health tips, which include workout routines and exercises that are beneficial for every part of your body.

Additionally, doctors themselves share health guides to keep the public aware. And the million-dollar question there is: knowledge is being shared everywhere, so do people need to take action and owe something to their bodies and mental health?

Speaking of mental health, there are online therapists, psychologists, and guides for mental health awareness, but people fail to acknowledge them, too. Social media has been raising awareness through exercise for the body, and the importance of workouts and health tips are being shared by mental health awareness and dietary solutions, but it seems there is a lack of motivation among adults. The rate of health risks among adults is increasing, and nobody seems to do anything, even though precaution is better than treatment for all the health risks out there, such as heart attacks and cancer.

Teens’ Role in Supporting and Motivating Adults Toward Fitness and Health

Teenagers in this generation are smart and understanding. They have information about almost everything and tend to share knowledge with their friends and peers. They are on social media, and almost every teen knows about mental health awareness and the importance of physical activity. As they scroll through these alarming videos on social media platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram, if their parents or any other adult related to them does not have the same level of information, they can share it with them. This way, they could support their parents or loved ones and be sure that this mental health and fitness awareness reaches adults.

Teenagers have high intellectual levels and can serve as motivation for adults about the relevance of fitness and health, and how significantly it impacts one’s life. By simply informing or sharing knowledge among adults, teenagers can make a huge difference, as they are on social media where awareness can reach them.

Although adults can be on social media and have the same awareness, when they hear it from teenagers, they can feel a sense of pressure to keep themselves healthy for the sake of their child. Any other adult can also get the motivation or “green flag” to make themselves fit and healthier.

Social Media’s Role in Raising Awareness About Fitness and Health

Social media has had a crucial role in raising awareness of fitness, physical, and mental health. Social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube have been strongly oriented toward sharing tips on fitness and physical activity, which include workout routines such as the 30-day challenge.

There are certified doctors, licensed physicians, and professional trainers online who post advice backed by scientific evidence. Users have access to Q&A sessions, livestreams, and peer support networks to share and receive knowledge on fitness guides.

Health tips are also being shared, such as nutrition advice and specific diets, like “What I Eat in a Day,” by influencers. Mental health awareness is also increasing as people on social media are discussing anxiety, depression, and PTSD to practice self-care, reduce stigma, and encourage people to seek help from professional therapists and psychologists.

Social media has combined physical health and mental health knowledge to engage the users in their content and show their millions of followers how to improve their overall health.

The Lack of Motivation Among Adults

Social media has spread awareness about fitness and health, but there is a lack of motivation among adults to instill a routine in their lives to either work out or reduce stress. This happens because adults simply use excuses like there is no room in their schedule, and being busy can make the worth of exercise a low priority.

Many adults are engaged in jobs and are competing for success, but they don’t realize the importance of exercise and good mental health in daily life. They think that stress and depression are just temporary, or they feel they have to deal with it alone, when they could reach out to a therapist, but they are often ashamed of consulting for help on their psychological well-being.

Adults often panic when they hear about heart attacks and cancer and think they don’t have it, but they fail to recognize that it can slowly become their condition someday. Adults cannot make a commitment to exercise due to ongoing stress and fatigue in their lives.

Since there is no enjoyment, adults are not serious about fitness and health because they need a long-term purpose, which they don’t have. Due to the lack of motivation, adults find themselves careless in the realms of fitness and mental health.

Personal Experience

With all that information being said, I would like to share my personal experience centered on the topic of this article. One day, I told my mom that she needed to do some exercise and manage her weight—probably start going to the gym or do yoga at home.

My mom did not take me seriously at that moment, and I wondered why she was so careless about her own fitness. Surprisingly, the very next day, my mom’s best friend shared a reel on social media about the health benefits of staying fit.

My mom and her best friend were engaged in a call for a very long time, speaking about how they should start doing home workouts and share their goals. After the call ended, I asked my mom why she was so eager to start her fitness journey after her best friend suggested it, and she said that it was because she saw that Instagram reel, which made her aware of what she was missing in her daily life—fitness and prosperous health. Additionally, she said that her best friend shared knowledge and her goals, which motivated her and switched her mindset in just one day.

Call to Action: Motivation Ideas

MAKE EXERCISE FUN: DO NOT STICK TO BORING WORKOUTS
MAKE EXERCISE SOCIAL: ENJOY EXERCISE WITH FRIENDS AND PEERS
ENVISION A STRONGER, HEALTHIER YOU: THINK WISELY FOR THE FUTURE
SET ATTAINABLE GOALS: HAVE REALISTIC AND ACHIEVABLE GOALS
TRACK YOUR PROGRESS: SET UP A FITNESS TRACKING ACCOUNT ON AN APP

The Impacts of Exercise on Health

Prevents and treats over 40 chronic diseases
Increases life expectancy by up to 3 years
Improves heart health, blood pressure, and blood sugar
Reduces risk of obesity, diabetes, and cancer
Boosts mood and mental health
Enhances strength, balance, and mobility
Supports healthy aging and independence

Conclusion

Teens can play a supporting role in spreading motivation among adults to make fitness and health a priority by showing social media posts on fitness and health trends. Many adults lack motivation to pursue their fitness goals because they struggle to fit a routine into their schedule and don’t have enough inspiration.

The impact of exercise on the human body is crucial because of its significant health benefits, and when awareness rises among adults and they take action, they can live as healthy human beings.