"It is exercise alone that supports the spirits, and keeps the mind in vigor."
Exercise gets a bad reputation by people who don't enjoy it. They may see it as a chore rather than an enjoyable activity. Exercise does not have to feel like a chore if we choose activities that are fun and engaging. Sports. Sex. Dancing. These are activities that can elevate our heart rate and give us pleasure at the same time. Not only can we find exercise to be pleasurable, it also provides so many benefits for our body, mind and Spirit.
We know that regular exercise can help us lose weight and maintain it, but that's just the obvious benefit. When it relates to our mind, exercise can help elevate our mood and reduce feelings of anxiety and depression. If you are concerned about getting older and losing grasp of your mental faculties, exercise can help alleviate your concerns. Since regular exercise pumps more blood to the brain, it helps to improve our memory and cognitive functioning. Oh, and exercise even helps us to sleep better at night, while giving us more energy during the day. Seriously, the benefits help improve so many areas of our life.
Photo by Scott Moon on Unsplash
If that isn't convincing enough, maintaining a regular exercise routine can help to prevent serious illness like heart disease, multiple types of cancer, diabetes and arthritis. Exercise is like this miracle drug that we can incorporate into our daily lives for free! It also bears repeating how exercise also helps to prevent obesity by helping us shed extra pounds/kilos and maintain a healthy weight. Oh, and it helps keep our bones strong and muscles limber. With so many benefits, it should be a no-brainer when it comes to maintaining a regular exercise routine.
Hopefully you feel the benefits of regular exercise, no matter what activity you choose. If you do not exercise regularly, there is no time like the present, since that's what exercise is. It's a big gift we give to ourselves packed with a ridiculous amount of benefits. Even for people with limited mobility, there are exercises available. Exercise is for everyone. And again, it's free! You don't need a fancy gym membership or equipment. A comfortable pair of athletic shoes helps, but it doesn't take much more than that. All it really takes is scheduling a bit of time every day. With all of the benefits it provides, we can all find some time to grab some exercise every day, even if its just a walk around the block.
More Wellness!
Nerd Fitness: 40 fun ways to exercise (without realizing it)
HelpGuide: The Mental Health Benefits of Exercise
