Why INFJs Suck at Exercise (And What They Can Do About It)

We can all agree that exercise, in its basic form, is necessary but mundane. It has no inherent meaning for the INFJ all by itself. Even the dictionary definition of exercise—“To engage in physical activity to sustain or improve fitness”—is less than inspiring. Not even interesting. Zzzz, sorry, I fell asleep. 

Not really, but the point is that INFJs will always struggle to exercise for exercise’s sake. We’re simply never satisfied by completing a task for the task itself, unless it has meaning to us. And we get bored easily.

But of course, we all need to eat, sleep and take care of our bodies, or we will not be able to do the things we love most—explore, dream and create within our inner universe.

INFJs Use Their Energy Differently

Let me put to rest a lingering myth about INFJs right off the bat—INFJs are not “lazy.”   

Yes, we can let the laundry pile up or neglect mowing the lawn. We may postpone a whole host of things that just don’t have enough deeper meaning for us to prioritize them. This is because our world, if you don’t already know, is one of abstract inner landscapes filled with awe and inspiration, imagination and dreams. Things like laundry have no real importance in it. For the INFJ, insight and creativity define the biggest part of our existence, not mundane things like loading the dishwasher.

The ESTP, the type with our exact opposite preferences, is considered the most physically active of the Myers-Briggs types. ESTPs lead with Extraverted Sensing (Se) in their cognitive function stack, meaning they live in the moment and constantly seek out physical, sensory experiences to keep Se happy. 

In the INFJ function stack, Extraverted Sensing is our least favorite. This means that we have very little desire to focus on, or interact with, the world of reality in a concrete way, and this lack of interest can extend to our physical bodies. Our dominant function is Introverted Intuition (Ni). Leading with Ni means we focus on our beloved inner world. Focusing on anything physical takes us away from that, and we often make a subconscious effort to minimize awareness of our bodies in order to fully experience Ni, our inner home. I have never met an INFJ who worked out to show off their “fit body.” Our sense of self is just not associated with our bodies, or the outside world. That’s just not enough for us. We care less about how we look, and more about how we feel. 

So what does that say about the INFJ? 

We are perhaps the most mentally and emotionally active type, and this means our energy is spent as cognitive focus, not physical exertion. While other types, especially Extraverted-Sensing types, become tired after physical activity, the INFJ is more likely to become exhausted after overthinking or being overly empathetic. 

Remember your academic classes? All types should be able to relate to this—you were sitting all day in a classroom seat but somehow, your whole being was tired by the end of the day from the “mental workout.” Most of us don’t even realize that when we use up our mental energy, our whole body feels it, and you can be just as physically tired as your friend who went to the gym.

Moving Your Body to Heal Your Soul

With all that said, we can’t be in our heads all day long without feeding, clothing, and moving our bodies. And we can balance all that mental and emotional overwork by integrating meaningful physical movement into our day. This balance will make you whole in mind, body and soul. 

Let me explain what I mean by that.

It’s well-documented that when you are physically healthy you have an easier time with mental clarity, cognitive processing, and emotional regulation. This is especially true for those of us with sensitive souls. In fact, if you consider yourself an empath, you may know that your body is a receptor for emotional energy and will absorb both the good and bad feelings of others. 

The way it works is simple. Being around people who send you negative energy is draining for you, and it affects your physical health. Being around positive, supportive people is restorative for you and it makes you feel stronger physically. Then you will have happy energy to give to others. 

So what if we thought of exercise as a way to balance our entire being, both mentally and physically, and restore the equilibrium that nature wants to give us? Because when we feel physically strong, our mental and emotional health also get a boost.

Eight Meaningful Ways the INFJ Can Move

Now that you’re sold on why exercise is beneficial to the INFJ, besides the obvious stamina/ sleep/ disease prevention effects, let’s look at some types of exercise that work best for you. Try one or more of the following activities to improve your overall mental and physical health and unleash your INFJ awesomeness.

1. Yoga: Yoga means “union,” referring to the union of mind, body and spirit. Or, if you prefer, the union of our own consciousness with the wisdom and reality of the universe.  So while the poses are strengthening your body, this union takes place within as the INFJ dives deep into their own mind and, at the same time, practices being present with their body.
2. Running: Running can be great for INFJs. Once you get your “second wind,” you can glide along in solitude and still get the maximum physical benefit. Your mind is free to go where it wants because there are no complicated movements to learn. A gentle jog is plenty of movement and allows you to imagine and think.
3. Long walks: My personal favorite, long walks can put you in touch with nature which, for most INFJs, is a gateway to deeper thoughts about life, spirituality and creation. Even if you live in the city, walking the streets still puts you under the blue sky during the day, and the stars at night. That’s enough for any INFJ to dream about.
4. Stretching: Is stretching real exercise? Yes it is! Gently stretching your muscles makes you more flexible, increases strength when you hold a pose, improves circulation, and is a good way to connect with your body because the right stretches will feel good.
5. Co-exercising: INFJs value deep relationships, and exercising with someone you care about might be the motivator that gets you moving. Any exercise that allows conversation will do for this one – lifting weights, walks, one-on-one sports etc.
6. Charity events: INFJs are known for their interest in social justice and helping others less fortunate. Raising money for the homeless or for victims of domestic violence, for example, can bring new meaning to running a 5k. 
7. Martial arts: Like yoga, martial arts blend mental and physical discipline to achieve strength and resilience, but they have an added benefit of directing you outward towards others and you learn to engage people as real-life threats.  
8. Playing with animals: Yes, playing fetch and rough housing with your dog totally counts as exercise! INFJs have a soft spot for animals because they’re always authentic and their love is unconditional. The INFJ will often nurture animals by intuiting their needs, and they don’t need human language to engage them.

And Finally…

Remember that you are not after the perfect body, or a model appearance. It’s not about that for INFJs. We are after wholeness. So make sure your activities are nurturing to your whole being. Also, moving your body should come with compassion and patience and should not feel like pressure. Let it feel good. The physical and mental benefits will follow.