I know what you are thinking. How is exercise considered self-care? It is too hard. I do not want to sweat or be sore. I do not want to look stupid when I work out. I do not have the time or money for a membership. I do not want to look like a body builder. No one will work out with me. I do not know what to do. In short, why?
Trust me, honey. I feel you. Why would I want to put myself in a situation that I am going to hate? There are in fact quite a few very valid reasons for exercise. No, really. There are. In Part 2 of the self-care series, I will elaborate on how exercise is an integral part of self-care. So, have your sneakers ready and absorb the information I am about to share with you.
Overall Health
It is common knowledge that exercise is good for your physical health. It lowers your cholesterol and blood pressure. It also decreases your risk of Type 2 Diabetes, heart disease, and osteoporosis. You build your endurance (no more hyperventilating after climbing a single flight of stairs), strength (jelly jars be dammed), and maintain your bones (the “little old lady” status is not in your future). And in the process, you may lose weight which will help all the benefits to work even more. Need I say more?
Mental Health
We can watch videos about these muscle-bound weightlifters looking angry and ready to do damage to the next person who crosses their path. We do not want to be angry all the time. Being angry all the time is quite the misconception. There is no need to train for the Ms. Universe title and get “agro” in the process.
The side effects of exercise are that there are changes inside the body that promote positive thinking. Elle Woods, the main character from the Legally Blonde movies said it best.
“Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don’t shoot their husbands. They just don’t.”
The wonderful thing is that she is not wrong. Exercise truly does build endorphins. An article from healthline.com said the brain releases endorphins. The endorphins relieve pain and improve your mood and self-esteem. Plus, they reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. Who needs pills when a workout is much cheaper?
Other Benefits
There is no one way to get exercise. There is a plethora of choices to implement in your routine. Those vast number of options gives you the ability to invite others to join you. You both can go hiking through the park, enroll in a yoga class, join the Taichi class at the local YWCA. Even gardening is an activity that gets the body moving. Whether it be family or friends, you create a support system not just for yourself but for them too. And you get that social time to chat between sets or before and after workouts, not to mention brunch after your activity time.
There is also the opposite of the socializing aspect. I am a mom of a special needs son so for me, heading to the gym is an excuse to get out of the house and get time to myself to focus on myself. I both love my son and need a reminder that I am more than just a mom.
Another benefit of exercise is something most people do not consider. Physical activity promotes good sleep. Various sources state that physical activity contributes to proper sleep because of the side effects already mentioned (reduced stress and anxiety and lower blood pressure). There is another reason physical activity adds to better sleep. Our raised body temperature and the endorphins released by the brain can trigger the, “hey, I’m awake” signals in our body clocks. Keep in mind that the type of exercise and the time of day will impact everyone differently. For some people, yoga in the morning will be a gentle awakening while for others it is a terrific way to wind down before bed. Do not be afraid to experiment with different options. Find what works best for you to get the most out of your physical activity.
The vast number of benefits of physical activity is something not to be taken lightly. Of course, always consult your physician before starting any type of workout routine. This will prevent rehashing old injuries while reducing the likeliness of causing new ones. Physical activity is supposed to be fun. If what you are doing does not bring pleasure to your daily life, try something else. Just get off that luxurious couch and get moving. You are so worth it.
Cultivating Elegance 