Getting fit usually comes down to appearance when we consider it. Exercise tones our muscles, but did you realize it does so much more? On the inside as much as the outside, it really makes us feel better about ourselves. Examining more closely how exercise might improve our mood and enable us to accept ourselves just as we are.
Firstly, endorphins are hormones that our bodies release when we exercise. Natural mood enhancers, these substances help us feel happier and more at ease. Therefore, a decent workout can make you feel better even if you're depressed or anxious (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2011).
That goes beyond simply having positive mental health, though. Exercise also does amazing things for our bodies. It keeps our muscles stronger, our hearts healthy, and offers us more energy to go about our daily business. We can thus be proud of what our bodies are capable of even if we don't have highly toned arms or six-pack abs (Harvard Health Publishing, 2019).
Exercise is cool mostly because it involves more than simply physical activity. It also facilitates a more solid bond between our bodies and minds. When you exercise, have you ever noticed that you become more conscious of the movements of your body? That's because exercise helps us become more aware of what our bodies are saying us, which can help us love and accept ourselves just as we are (Minding Your Mind, 2022).
Exercise is also a kind of stress-reduction superpower. Running or practicing yoga might help us unwind and decompress when we're feeling overburdened. It can be like pressing the reset button on our stress levels, making it simpler to handle whatever life throws to us (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2021).
But we don't just work out by ourselves. It's also a terrific approach to establish a feeling of community and relationship with people. Exercise together, whether it's with friends at a fitness class or on a sports team, can make us feel welcomed and supported (Chekroud & al., 2018).
And working out might be a good approach to deal with difficult times in life. We can direct our energy toward something constructive rather than into bad habits like overeating or spending the entire day in bed. That might be cycling, weightlifting, or even just a quick stroll around the block. What ever it is, exercise can make us feel better and more equipped to face obstacles in life (Penedo & Dahn, 2005).
But loving and accepting ourselves just as we are is maybe the most valuable lesson exercise imparts. It's not about attempting to seem or be flawless. It's about realizing the incredible things our bodies are capable of, whether they be running, dancing, or just getting out of bed in the morning (Swami et al., 2008).
celebration.But loving and accepting ourselves just as we are is maybe the most valuable lesson exercise imparts. It's not about attempting to seem or be flawless. It's about realizing the incredible things our bodies are capable of, whether they be running, dancing, or just getting out of bed in the morning (Swami et al., 2008).