We’re half-way through the year, so now is a good time to evaluate whether we have met any health goals yet. We all know that exercising is good for us physically, but it is also good for us mentally. The benefits of moving our bodies range from weight management, to reducing risk for diseases, to keeping our learning, judgmental, focusing, and thinking skills sharp. Exercise is also proving beneficial to helping people who suffer from depression and anxiety. It can help boost self-esteem and mood since we can measure progress as we get fitter and stronger.
“Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live.”
Jim Rohn
There are so many ways to exercise, but the most important thing is to pick something we can have fun with. Some people love running, others enjoy walking, dancing, playing a sport, or weightlifting. There are HIIT routines, water aerobics, yoga, etc. It is not necessary to spend a lot of time doing difficult exercises in order to see improvement. Light and moderate exercise can be just as beneficial, if not more so, especially since injuries are more likely to happen when we’re constantly trying to push our limits. Of course, there is nothing wrong with trying to push our limits and reach our personal best, we just need to make sure we are doing it in a safe way.
“Few people know how to take a walk. The qualifications are endurance, plain clothes, old shoes, an eye for nature, good humor, vast curiosity, good speech, good silence and nothing too much.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
As stress levels rise, we tend to tense up our bodies which creates aches and pains. When we are depressed, we often don’t move much at all. By consciously moving our bodies, we can give our minds something else to focus on, and as we move, we release endorphins that help us to feel better. A good way to get the blood pumping is to pick a favorite song and just dance. For those who are self-conscious due to lack of dancing skills, there’s no rule you have to dance with other people. Go to your room, close the door, and just go for it and be as silly as you like. (A fun song is “I Like to Move It” from the movie Madagascar.)
“Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.”
Arthur Ashe
Whichever form of exercise you choose, make sure to choose those that you enjoy. The benefits of moving your body are worth the time and effort. You don’t have to spend hours at a gym, just a few minutes 3 or 4 times a week can do wonders.
“Physical fitness is the first requisite of happiness.”
Joseph Pilates
The Weekly Post 
This is so true and underrated. A lot of people would argue that exercise does nothing for them, but most of them are only using it as an excuse and are not actually suffering from real debilitating symptoms. We need to do what we can, but that takes conscious effort. Anyway, thanks for this post!
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