Are you looking for ways to boost your mood and set yourself up for success every day? Let's take a look at how and why building exercise into your daily routine can make that happen.
Firstly, there are the obvious physical benefits of regular exercise, keeping the body moving burns fat and builds muscle. Getting fitter improves our heart and lungs and sweating helps our body remove toxins, making our immune systems stronger.
Perhaps what is more interesting is the effect exercise has on our mindset and mood. Exercise reduces our body’s levels of the stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol. Adrenaline and cortisol levels are heightened when we feel stressed, which has a damaging effect on our body and mind. The best way to naturally reduce these stress hormones is through physical exercise. If you think about the fight or flight response, it makes sense that we need these stress hormones to protect us. For example, to give us the adrenaline to run away from something threatening. However, if we don't run or move during that stressful period, we do nothing to reduce these hormone levels and they remain too high.
While reducing adrenaline and cortisol, exercise also stimulates the production of endorphins, the chemicals in the brain that are natural mood elevators, they make us feel happier. The best thing about this is high endorphin levels are addictive!
It all sounds great, but you may be thinking about how you cannot find the time to fit exercise into your daily routine. We are all busy and feel like we already have enough on our plates, adding more work to our busy schedule isn't easy! But don't be put off or overwhelmed. The most important thing is consistency! People often make the mistake of thinking they need to spend a long time in the gym and push themselves hard to make it count, but this isn't necessary. If you do that, you're more likely to give up after just a few sessions. The secret is to find something you enjoy doing and do it every day, even if it is only for 10 minutes. Whether that is 10 minutes of jogging, walking, yoga, boxing or lifting weights, it doesn't matter. That leaves the question remaining, can you say you cannot afford to spend 10 minutes doing that one thing you enjoy?
When you start to exercise regularly, dealing with stress and challenges becomes easier. Your mind is clear, the heavy feelings of worry or sadness become lighter, and everything starts to make more sense. This elevated feeling of higher vibrations and positive energy is what sets you up for success. When we face problems with a clear mind and challenges with a positive approach, we are much more likely to succeed.
If you need motivation to get into a more positive routine, this is it!
Whether it’s a quick jog in the morning, a lunchtime yoga class or an evening stroll, it will make you feel happier and healthier and set you up for success!
Enjoy those fitness high vibes!
