Whenever the word “health” pops up in someone’s mind, the first image that is formed usually is of a muscular person with super low body fat, next to a personal fitness trainer. However, unbeknownst to many, a healthy diet does not refer to the appropriate physical condition of the body. In fact, health encompasses physical, emotional, and mental aspects of human wellbeing together. As a matter of fact, all of these modalities are intricately connected to each other.
In this context, numerous researches have indicated the connection of physical exercises with emotional and mental wellbeing. Interestingly enough, people who exercise regularly are seen to be more happy and contented than their counterparts. They engage themselves more deeply in their duties and prove to be beneficial for everyone around them.
Find Happiness Doing a Physical Activity You Truly Enjoy
When it comes to working out, it is extremely important to choose an activity that you truly love to do. If you don’t like spending endless hours at the gym, then don’t. Try doing something different! You can try hiring a personal training coach, playing a sport or working out with a friend. The fact is, when we are working out we should be enjoying it. Yes, it’s going to hurt, yes, it’s going to be hard, but the more you enjoy something the less you begin to think about how difficult it is going to be. There is nothing more enjoyable then that rush of endorphin’s we get after absolutely KILLING a workout.
What are Endorphins and Why do they Make us Feel Happy?
According to WebMD, “Endorphins trigger a positive feeling in the body, similar to that of morphine. For example, the feeling that follows a run or workout is often described as “euphoric.” That feeling, known as a “runner’s high,” can be accompanied by a positive and energizing outlook on life.”
Endorphins are hormones that are released by the pituitary gland that have motivational benefits. Endorphins increase with routine and better physical fitness. The more you workout, the more endorphins you will begin to produce and the better you will begin to feel about yourself. Once you reach that point in your workout where you feel as if you can accomplish anything, which I am here to tell you that YOU can, that is moment of happiness and success.
Apart from being happy, there are various other connections between being physically fit and emotional wellbeing. Some of them are:
- Ability to bond with others
- Reduction in anxiety and depression
- Boost in confidence
- Provides effects similar to meditation
Being Fit Physically Enables One to Bond with Others:
When a person goes out to practice and exercise outdoors, whether in a gym or a park, he meets other people like him. When they exercise together, they start developing a special bond among themselves. Also, rigorous movement during exercise changes one’s brain chemistry and helps them instantly connect with others.
Being Physically Fit Reduces Anxiety and Depression:
Sadly enough, anxiety and depression are among the top-ranking mental disorders of the modern world. The more human beings have become reliant on technology, the more they have distanced themselves from others. As a result, they usually keep their feelings and fears to themselves instead of sharing them. This approach increases the levels of anxiety and depression. Physical exercise is a great tool to mitigate these problems and effectively treat anxiety. It connects humans with each other and increases the number of certain chemicals in human brains, such as dopamine, adrenaline, endocannabinoids, and endorphins. With a surge in their levels, loneliness, anxiety, and depression gradually go away.
Outdoor Activities Help Uplift Confidence:
When a person goes out to exercise, his body perceives it as something challenging. Also, when he is engaging himself in exercise with other people, he feels a sense of shared teamwork and accomplishment. This overall feeling of “moving together” and the elements mentioned earlier work together to increase and uplift the person’s confidence.
Outdoor Physical Activities Provide Effects Similar to Meditation:
As per science, meditation has many calming, soothing, and relaxing effects on the human mind and body. However, for some people, sitting and constantly focusing for long hours is the right option. For such people, it is recommended that outside physical activities are strongly recommended. This is because these activities produce effects that are similar to mediation. When one works out in the open, his brain eels an immediate calming effect that takes away all the feelings of tension and anxiety, an effect that greatly resembles the effects of meditation,
Making exercise and fitness, not only a priority, but a way of life can be a challenge for some. The most important secret to living a healthy lifestyle stems from HAPPINESS. That’s right BE HAPPY. Making yourself and your body happy is the number one most important factor when it comes to working out. You are doing it for YOU and only YOU.
Each day, get up, do something fun, be active and make yourself happy. Choose to be healthy and choose to be happy!
Image by andyhernandezv94 from Pixabay
