Four Life-Changing Feelings that Exercise Brings To Your Life

BETTER MENTAL HEALTH

Being physically active can improve depression or anxiety symptoms, and statistics show that more people are now exercising for mental health. A New Zealand survey shows that 63% of people who exercise do so with the purpose of looking after their mental wellbeing, which is a huge jump from 7% in 2018. 

FEELING CAPABLE 

Exercise adds the feeling of capability to your everyday life. For example, if you are a parent, you can keep up with your kids' energy and take them to outdoor activities to share fun memories together. There are people now in their 70s who are breaking their personal records from their 30s. I, personally, have benefited from this feeling as a woman too: I can move furniture without asking for help, and do big grocery shops and carry the heavy bags myself.

Exercise enables you to do things that you couldn't do before. This sense of capability gives you confidence, and as you can imagine, it feels AMAZING.

SENSE OF ACCOMPLISHMENT

Whether you lift heavier weights than last time, run faster than before, or go to the gym twice a week as planned, there is always something to achieve through fitness to be a better version of you. No matter what your fitness level is, exercise challenges you and enables you to meet the goals you set for yourself.

It may feel like each step is so small when you focus on what you’re achieving day-by-day, but when you look back in the future, you will realise how far you've come. We are usually better at seeing other people’s accomplishments, but exercise gives you the opportunity to notice those changes and give yourself a pat on the back.

FEELING IN CONTROL

Physical activity helps you better deal with stress. Exercise increases the production of feel-good hormones called endorphins which improve your mood. Once you establish a routine that includes exercise as a part of your lifestyle, you will feel more in control of your body and mind because you know exactly what to do to reduce your own stress.

Instead of eating or drinking to relieve stress, you can jump into your favourite studio class, put your frustration into punches and kicks at a boxing session, or focus on lifting weights to forget about what’s happening outside of the gym. Exercise gives you a sense of control over your body and your mind, allowing you to reach your full potential.

Article by Mikiko - Les Mills Britomart PT