Working your way to wellbeing
Don’t shoot the messenger, but exercise is pretty much essential for good form.
We know that some of you love it, and some of you loathe it; if you fall into the latter camp, it’s worth bearing in mind that you don’t have to be competing in triathlons or running marathons to give your form a boost. When it comes to wellbeing, all movement counts, so don’t be put off if your athletic prowess leaves something to be desired.
One of the best ways to approach exercise is with your mental health in mind: if you focus on exercise – or movement – as a means of stress-relief or relaxation, it takes the focus off your body (and its abilities), and redirects your attention to the incredible impact exercise can have on your sense of wellbeing. Because working out is not just about weight loss.
In fact, exercising regularly has been proven to:
Increase happiness
Help with relaxation and sleep quality
Boost energy levels
Improve brain function and memory
Strengthen muscles and bones
Reduce risk of chronic disease
Make your skin healthier
Reduce pain
Now that’s got to make the sweating worth it, right?
Exercise as therapy
In a world of high stress and constant connectivity, exercise offers an ideal way to distract yourself from your daily worries. Bringing a big old boost of the endorphins that are so essential to feeling good, exercise is, quite simply, one of the greatest stress-relief tools of all time.
If you’re struggling with your mental health, exercise can really help you to manage any symptoms – such as elevating a depressed mood, or alleviating feelings of anxiety. In fact, countless studies show that active people are less likely to suffer with anxiety and depression than sedentary people; in some cases, exercise was actually shown to be as effective as medication for symptom management.
Whether you’re down for connecting with yourself through yoga, sweating it out on a tennis court, pushing yourself on a run, or dancing around your kitchen with sheer joy (and a good tune to boot), the key is to find an activity you can lose yourself in.
And we promise you this: once you get started, you’ll never look back.
