Why is Exercising Important to Feel Good?
Exercising is not a binding necessity in one’s mundane lifestyle, but it is a choice that an individual makes to stabilize their physical and mental health. Renowned American entrepreneur, author, and motivational speaker, Jim Royn, once quoted: “Take care of your body. It is the only place you have to live.”. This quote embodies the main aspect of leading a healthy life: taking care of the body, and that can be easily achieved by exercising. By definition, this term signifies an activity that requires ample amounts of physical effort which will ultimately make the body fitter and healthier.
Meanwhile, studies have shown that, while exercising keeps one slim and fit, it can also uplift an unpleasant day and turn it around into a new dimension. When exercising, a hormone called endorphin is released in the brain which attaches itself to the receptors of the brain and induces a positive feeling (WebMD). Thus, ensuring a mentally healthy and happy person. Recent research in the United States has corroborated that individuals who exercise day-to-day have fewer poor mental health days in a month, opposed to those who do not delve into physical activity. Therefore, exercising evidently aids the body in myriad ways, and many of these ways are more psychologically and mentally, rather than physically.
One of its many advantages is that it ameliorates concentration and helps an individual steer their focus onto productive and crucial facets of life, such as work or school. According to Burke Britain Financial Partners, a study has shown that physical activity increases punctuality and work ethic by 72%. Employees do not deviate from deadlines and get work done on time. In scientific terms, it can be understood through the nature of the brain. Its main function is to recoil and rewire when new information is absorbed, and this is called neuroplasticity. This process develops the brain using a specific chemical named: brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which is solely produced by the brain and has not been emulated into a pill as of now (Harvard Health). This chemical recoils and rearranges memory systems in the brain to improve them. Dr. Ratey, the celebrated author of ‘Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain’ proclaimed that this chemical is released “when you exercise and move around” as “you are using more brain cells”. These excessive brain cells activate genes to produce more BDNF chemicals in the brain which will ultimately increase memory and focus and ensure better performance at the workplace or school.
In medical forms, physical activity can assist patients diagnosed with clinical depression. According to helpguide.org, a current study done by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health testifies and discovered that chances of getting depression are depreciated by 26% for an individual who walks for at least 15 minutes a day. Due to the happy hormone, endorphin, released while walking. It can almost equate to antidepressants for a patient with standard depression. Mike Schiemer, a 27-year-old, faced depression, low self-esteem, and anxiety. And even after a multitude of medical efforts and professional help he was not able to recover. Nonetheless, after a major health downfall, he turned his life around, by “walking one to two miles” and then continued to “running four to six miles”. This increased his endorphin production levels and refined his mood and energy (shape.com).
Moreover, in today’s fast-paced world, amidst all the chaos and competition, one must work extra hard to sustain and survive. However, in all the tension of keeping up, a wearisome cycle or day-to-day schedule is created, which may not permit an individual to relax and be with oneself. Having some alone time is required once in a while! Even though it is very difficult to break the pattern and fit in some work out time, it is highly advisable. Otherwise, it can lead to stress which will eventually cause severe headaches and pain in other body parts. To avoid this, one can start off with participating in any of the activities given below:
- Meditation
- Yoga
- Aerobics
- Walking or Running
- Swimming
- Gymming
- Dancing
All of these are emerging exercising forms in India and many other countries, many of which can be done at home. They all release the endorphin hormone and trigger a positive feeling which can benefit one in every element of life.
This applies to people of every age group. Exercising is a constituent to welfare, success, and wellness in one’s life. Especially for adolescents or young adults, who have their whole lives ahead of them. It is imperative to indulge in a form of physical activity to improve their quality of work, reduce chances of getting mental or physical disorders and to lead a happy life in the future as well.
In summary, exercise is much more than just ‘sweating it out’. It is a way of living. A key ingredient of life which is best ingrained into one’s mind at an early stage of life. Amidst all the workload, it acts as a physical and emotional barrier. From sharpening the brain to strengthening the muscles, it can take care of everything. Thus, to live a stable, pleasant and convenient life, exercising is one if not the only thing, that cannot and should not be ignored.
Written by: Prisha Gandhi
Word count: 873
Bibliography:
https://www.helpguide.org/articles/healthy-living/the-mental-health-benefits-of-exercise.htm
https://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/exercise-depression#1
https://www.bbfp.com.au/latest-articles/how-exercise-improves-productivity-and-your-brain-function