| When we think of an exercise program we think of | | | | mental and physical health and fitness becomes |
| losing a bit of weight, toning up muscles and keeping | | | | clearer. Vigorous physical activity and movement is the |
| our heart strong. We usually don't link our mental and | | | | human body's method of staying healthy and it |
| emotional fitness with our physical strength and fitness | | | | appears crucial to mental and emotional health as well. |
| but they are closely linked. You can't have one without | | | | When the muscular system is challenged with the |
| the other. When we exercise our body our muscles | | | | 'work' that it is designed to do 'growth and repair' |
| are not the only thing given a boost, the cogs in our | | | | hormones are stimulated that renew, repair, rebuild and |
| brain that keep the wheels turning get an oiling as well. | | | | replace old worn out cells and tissues. Without this |
| The constant unrelenting 'busyness' and stress of our | | | | stimulation chemicals whisper to the cells to decay, |
| modern day frantic lives means we can be plagued | | | | degenerate and die. |
| with negative thoughts and emotions that can | | | | Do not expect 'cardio' or recreational type activity like |
| overwhelm us so we feel drained and fatigued. These | | | | walking, jogging or cycling to stimulate these hormones. |
| feelings can limit us and hold us back from reaching | | | | Muscles need to be worked through their ranges of |
| our full potential in life. | | | | movement under a load to get maximum physical and |
| If we complain about these thoughts and feelings we | | | | mental benefits. Long slow activities are simply too low |
| generally get fobbed off with a bottle of pills of some | | | | an intensity to boost the metabolism and good |
| sort. But exercise can do way more than any pill can | | | | hormones. Keep these 'fun' activities for after the |
| to relieve stress and calm us from the inside out | | | | proper exercise program is done. |
| before these bad feelings can build up and cause a | | | | Our exercise program must contain strength training |
| real problem. | | | | exercise that coaxes the muscles into releasing these |
| Good mental and emotional health means a state of | | | | special hormones that regulate emotions and thoughts |
| well-being where a person can realize their own full | | | | and make us feel good. They can help us get back in |
| potential in life. We should be able to cope easily with | | | | touch with our inner self and have a calming and |
| the normal stresses and pressures of life. We should | | | | centering effect dissipating stress and anxiety. |
| also be able to work productively and fruitfully in our | | | | You could liken your exercise session to a house |
| chosen career and be able to make some sort of | | | | cleaning session. Junk thoughts and moods are chased |
| contribution to our community. | | | | away. Pills can never fix things but you will find |
| Yet statics tell us the mental illness accounts for over | | | | exercise does. It is like medicine washing over you |
| 20 percent of the burden of disease which is more | | | | cleansing your spirit, rejuvenating you physically, |
| than the health and economic burden caused by all | | | | mentally and emotionally. |
| cancers. Mental health issues are predicted to soon be | | | | Everyone has easy access to it and the only |
| the second highest cause (behind heart disease) of | | | | requirement is that you do it...often...and with a bit of |
| death and disability globally. | | | | effort. Learn to rely on it to make you the most happy |
| As more research is done the close link between | | | | and fulfilled person you can be. |