What is your motivation for living a healthy lifestyle? When it comes to food, choosing healthy is easy. It is the motivation to exercise that I struggle with.
I have struggled with my mood for as long as I can remember. Exercise is my drug of choice. Many studies show that people who exercise regularly benefit with a positive boost in mood and lower rates of depression; I would say that I’m living proof of these studies. My mood is affected greatly when I don’t take that time for myself to exercise. From what I’ve learned, when you exercise, your body releases chemicals called endorphins.
One thing is known for certain about endorphins: their ability to make you feel oh-so-good. When your body is subjected to certain stimuli like sex, food or pain, your hypothalamus calls for endorphins, and the cells throughout your body that contain them heed the call. You're probably familiar with the term "runner's high" which refers to the euphoric feeling one sometimes gets when exercising. That feeling, known as a "runner's high," can be accompanied by a positive and energizing outlook on life. For many of us, it’s more than just the ‘high’ we ache for.
We all have different motivations. Reduce stress// Ward off anxiety and feelings of depression// Boost self-esteem// Improve sleep// It strengthens your heart// It increases energy levels// It lowers blood pressure// It improves muscle tone and strength// It strengthens and builds bones// It helps reduce body fat// It makes you look fit and healthy.
If you've ever taken out a bad day at the office on the nearest treadmill, you know that working up a good sweat can easily turn your day around. And by now you've probably heard that endorphins are the magic bullet behind that post-workout bliss. They can also help bring about feelings of euphoria and general well-being.
My motivation is fueled by ‘the want’ to improve my mental health. By taking 30 minutes a day to exercise, I am able to make that happen.
So tell me...What is your motivation?