PHYSICAL activity, we all know, is good for your body but are you aware that it’s great for your mind too.
Research has shown that exercise releases chemicals in your brain that make you feel good, and among the benefits of this are boosting your self-esteem, helping you concentrate as well as to enjoy great sleep, look and feel better. This cannot be bad for something we can quite easily do for free!
Being active doesn’t have to mean taking out an expensive gym membership, employing a private trainer, getting up to jog at 5am or sporting Lycra, unless you want to! There are so many ways to be active and they can all help to improve your mental health.
Additionally, taking part in physical activities can be a great way to meet people. It can also offer you the chance of taking a well-deserved break from the hustle and bustle of daily life.
Leading an active life can help to improve your feelings of self-worth and foster confidence.
Taking part in a form of exercise that you really enjoy can give you a goal to aim for and a real sense of purpose.
A few benefits of exercise are:
Getting started
The first thing you need to do is to make time. Work out what time you have available and choose something that fits into your busy schedule.
Alternatively, you should re-jig commitments to make room for some physical activity.
No excuses – you will find time.
Making exercise part of daily life
Adopting a more active lifestyle can be as simple as listening to motivational music while doing the housework, or making small changes to your routine.
Here are a few suggestions and there are many more that you can come up with easily:
The most important thing is to stop putting these simple things on the long finger. You will be amazed how well you can feel after the most moderate of exercise, and it can often leave you wanting more.
Stop saying I will do it next month, next week, next Monday.
Why not start today?
How active do I need to be?
Do not be over-ambitious. Aim to do 30 minutes of moderate exercise five times a week. Don’t panic. It may sound like a lot at first, but it isn’t as daunting as it might first appear.
Moderate exercise simply means being energetic enough that you:
You don’t have to jump into the deep end. Build up slowly and at a pace that suits you.
You might like to do 30 minutes per day, or you may prefer two split your time into two 15 minute sessions – it’s entirely up to you.
The most important thing is to get going.
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