4 pros of committing to fitness
Life moves at a fast pace for most of us. Between school, work, family life, social engagements, and every other area of our lives, our schedules can fill up extremely fast and make us feel as if things will never slow down.
For many of us, one of the things that often gets put on the backburner is our health. After all, isn’t supporting our livelihood and investing in our relationships far more important? However, setting aside time for exercise can have huge benefits in all the other areas of your life.
Now it may be too late to include working out as a New Year’s resolution, (and many of us are guilty of making this resolution and then not following through), but you can change the patterns of your day any time of the year. Let’s look at some of the benefits of investing time into your level of fitness.
A longer, healthier life
Working out more will set your body up to last longer as you age. Exercising in its various forms increases strength, boosts your immune system, and improves the functionality of your heart, blood vessels, and muscular structure. The various parts of your body come into play when fighting off diseases or even general decay as you get older. Focusing on fitness regularly will build up your body’s defenses against these things. When you are physically healthy, you are more likely to live longer and maintain your independence. It can help you continue to live at home in your old age, as opposed to moving into a nursing home which comes with certain risks. Stronger muscles and better blood flow will have a huge impact on your quality of life as time goes on.
Great for your brain
It’s easy to figure out that exercise is great for your cardiovascular health, but did you know it can work wonders for your brain as well? Most types of exercise will trigger your body to release certain endorphins such as dopamine. These chemical responses operate as a reward system for the brain, making you feel happier and putting you in a better state of mind. Regular exercise can help with conditions like depression or anxiety as well. Plus, working out can lead to a sense of accomplishment, which is much needed for those who are feeling the weight of repetition in their lives. Maybe you are experiencing burnout due to a mundane daily routine. Focusing on fitness can play a role in changing your mindset.
It can be a great social engagement
While many choose to exercise alone, there are plenty of ways that you can use fitness to engage with others. You can find a running partner to hold each other accountable. You could attend a class at a local gym where you can meet others who are chasing their fitness goals alongside you. In general, some exercises that get you outside result in you running into neighbors that you may not otherwise see during your normal routine. In our increasingly virtual world, there are even live fitness classes that you can engage with from your own home. Investing in your fitness opens up avenues for encountering others who share a common goal; wanting to be healthier.
It is actually very easy to do
The great thing about chasing after fitness is that there are unlimited ways to do so. You could start slow by just going on regular walks. Or you could invest in a resistance band and work on some strength-building at home for your arms and legs. If you do not want any equipment, pushups, and situps are an easy option to start with. Own a bicycle? You can hit the road and get some great cardio and a leg workout in. There are so many different kinds of exercise that you can do to improve your level of fitness. If you are uncertain about how to start, here are some dos and don’ts. You can customize your fitness routine to your preferences and engage in activities that you find more interesting.
The hardest part about fitness? Starting
This is true about so many things in life. Changing your life patterns to start something new can be difficult, especially when it feels like your schedule is already crazy. But chasing after a higher level of fitness can benefit the other areas of your life. You can increase your social engagement with others through exercise partners or gym classes. Your long-term physical health will improve, giving you a better chance of enjoying life with your loved ones for a longer period of time. If you have kids, showing them how to care for their bodies will encourage them to think about physical health for themselves.
Once you have decided to pursue an active lifestyle, find the kind of exercise that you will enjoy the most. There is no reason why it can’t be fun for you, so make it your own and focus on fitness starting today.