The power of exercise
Life is not always as easy as we would like it to be or turn
out how we had planned. Dealing with these situations can be very hard on
the body, and we need to know how to look after ourselves so we don’t end up with
a body working less than 100%.
It’s very easy to feel that the problems are so overwhelming
and tiring that you just want to curl up in bed and pull the covers up. While that
may feel good at the time, in the long run it will actually drain you more.
These times are when we tend to get out of our normal exercise routine and grab
fast food instead of sticking to our well established exercise and nutrition
habits. But this is when you and your body need your healthy lifestyle more
than ever.
Exercise increase resilience; the fitter we are the easier
it is to cope with daily life and whatever problems we have.
This is because exercise increases energy levels, improves
sleep and distracts us from our worries and increases our sense of control and
self-esteem. It plays a very big role in helping us deal with the unpredicted
in life.
I have through experience by working as a Personal Trainer
for a long time (and also unfortunately in my own experience over the last 1
and a half years) developed five very important strategies to keep life going
with the power of feeling good in a not so good life situation.
·
Exercise; when you exercise, your brain releases
endorphins, adrenaline, serotonin and dopamine. These chemicals all work
together to make you feel good. In addition, after exercising you may feel a
sense of accomplishment and your muscles will relax deeper because of the
workout – easing tension and strain.
·
Eat well; there’s more and more research
indicating that what we eat may influence on our mood. Healthy eating, meaning
balancing your carbohydrates, getting enough omega-3, cutting back on alcohol
and simple sugar, has been linked to an improvement in mood but also boosts
your energy levels making it easier to face each day. The foods we eat
influence our brain messengers (neurotransmitters) which control feeling of
happiness and sadness. A balanced diet will regulate the response to stress and
improve your feeling and reactions towards
themselves.
·
Stay in contact with your friends who give you
positive energy; family and friends are very important for a happy life. Being
socially engaged leads to more positive emotions, which boost your immune
system and reduce stress. It’s also important to feel that you are a good
friend, providing others with support and friendship adds to your own
happiness.
·
Find something positive in every day; it might
be as simple as looking out the window in the morning and enjoying the sun rise
or the rain, or enjoying a good laugh with your family or friends. Whatever it
is, make sure that you find something positive in everyday.
·
Letting yourself feel sad; if you are going
through a tough time in life you need to allow yourself to feel sad. Hiding
whatever is bothering you inside will only make it worse, so make time to feel
sad but maintain above routine and remember you are one of a kind.
But most of all don’t let a bad situation be even worse by
letting good habits fly out the window. If you are not looking after yourself
you will soon not just feel bad about the situation but also feel bad about
yourself.
The question is not what you look at, but what you see.
Yours in health and fitness,
Birgitta
