Have you heard about the hidden effect of exercise?… You may be aware of the importance of exercise to get rid of excess weight and obtain a consistent body or even to improve physical fitness, but what is overlooked by many is the importance of sports and its great impact on mental health.
Have you heard about the hidden effect of exercise?
- We must reframe the concept of sport and physical activity in a broader way, limiting it to a specific category as a means to reach certain goals only, one of the first reasons that hinder one from adopting sport as a lifestyle, and sensing its supernatural positive impact on mental health and brain health.
- Sports are deeper and higher than just getting a perfect body. Sports are for everyone of all ages and weights.
The effect of exercise on mental health
- Exercise treats mild to moderate depression with the same effect as antidepressants, but without side effects. A person who does not exercise increases the risk of depression to (44%) compared to those who exercise regularly, as exercise is like an effective vaccine against depression.
- It stimulates the production of endorphins, which contribute to the feeling of happiness, and reduces the effect of hormones that stimulate feelings of anxiety, tension, and stress.
- Dispels negative thoughts and strengthens the will of man by strengthening his positive thoughts.
- Clears the mind and strengthens focus and memory, all of which are important elements for learning and acquiring any new skill in life, and also protects the brain in the long run from dementia and Alzheimer’s.
- It enhances self-confidence because it contributes to improving the external appearance of the body and the skin as well. Sports give natural freshness to the skin.
- Improving and regulating appetite, especially for those who suffer from severe weight loss.
- Sport teaches patience and endurance, as it is a kind of self-control and discipline by resisting temptations and not giving in to idleness and laziness.
Improves sleep quality and depth and reduces insomnia.
- Strengthens the heart muscles and the immune system and prevents osteoporosis and most diseases.
- Provides the body with energy and activity and eliminates fatigue (so it is not recommended to exercise before bed)
- Commitment to exercise is the biggest motivator for adopting healthy habits in other aspects of life.
For me, exercise is my first catalyst for trying to improve my eating habits, so it was said in the book “The Power of Habits” by Charles Duhigg that exercise is a pivotal habit…a change in one aspect that has an impact on other aspects.
All of these benefits are scientifically proven, and every regular person who exercises assures you of that.
Do you have to be a professional gamer to get all these benefits? Of course not. Choose what suits you from the types of sports and practice them regularly and continuously, and remember that a little continuous is better than a lot that is interrupted.
Sport is not a hobby for entertainment, but rather a necessity and a cure.
How do you adopt the habit of sports as a lifestyle?
First, select your favorite type of sport. How do you know? By reading and experimenting and then experimenting, as a beginner athlete, your focus will be high on fun and fatigue regardless of its impact on the health that you will feel after committing to exercising for a long time and continuously, so practice your favorite sport only and stay away from the complexity.
Don’t set short-term goals related to your appearance only, because once you reach your goal you will stop exercising, make it your goal to continue, progress, and improve in your health.
Arrange a clear schedule in a way that fits your lifestyle. Try to stick to it as much as possible, and remember that your goal is a lifestyle, not a temporary one, so be flexible.
Beware that the enthusiasm of the beginnings takes you and exercises (3) continuous hours, it will burden you with commitment, make it very easy until you establish the habit of sports in your life, then you can increase the duration and move to other sports that require higher physical effort.
You can exercise at any time, but as a start, it is preferable to limit it to a specific time of the day, to reduce the resistance of the mind and body to this new habit.
The idea of a supportive friend with the same goal may be a good idea to motivate each other to continue, but do not rely on it completely, as social networking programs give you the opportunity to follow everyone who has the same interests and goals, expand your knowledge and follow accounts interested in spreading awareness in this field.
The last and most important point is to get rid of the idea of the perfect moment because it will not come
If you are waiting to be one hundred percent ready, in the peak of your enthusiasm, committed to a healthy diet, one hundred percent, with continuous motivation and reinforcement from those around you, and you have enough time, mood, and ability to go to the best gyms. In the best case, this moment will be too late, so do not be bound by ideal ideas and excuses. hinder you from getting started.
“The greatest gap in one’s life is that which lies between knowledge and execution. Knowing the steps and elements of acquiring habits does not make a difference in your life if you do not intend to start now.”
Sports is the ideal lifestyle to live the rest of your life with the best possible health quality. The decision to adopt this habit is the best you can offer yourself, as health is a treasure whose value is not known until after.
Read more
7 Benefits of Walking and the Right Way to Practice It
