I have no doubt that you are already well aware of the many benefits regular exercise has to offer both your mental and physical health. You’ve heard it a thousand times before.
Yet, whilst we all know of the many, many benefits that are to be had with a regular exercise routine, getting the time to actually make it happen is rare. Life gets in the way; career stresses, family life, lack of motivation etc. When it comes down to choosing between getting up and going for a run or having 30 minutes extra in bed, sleep will nearly always win. We make promises of ‘I’ll start another day’ and for now, exercise remains at the bottom of our list of priorities.
However, if you can’t make your health your priority now? When will you?
If you’re still reluctant to move your body and give it the TLC it needs and deserves; let me explain how exercising doesn’t have to be such a big deal.
Yup, for those of you that say you’re short on time, here’s a thought to help you change your mind:
Just a 30-minute workout a day will benefit your health AND your happiness.
There’s no need to be in the gym for hours on end or be up at 5 am for a 10K run (unless you want to!) Anyone can turn their overall happiness, not to mention physical health, around, with these daily but efficient bouts of movement.
Still not convinced? Then take a look at how your day can benefit from a 30-minute workout alone…
To some people, there is nothing more stressful than the thought of walking into a gym. However, many of us now know that exercise is one of the biggest stress-relievers there is…
Why?
Because when we get our heart rates going, our bodies believe that we are under stress (irony anyone?). This causes them to release a chemical which protects against any further stresses the day may bring.
This not only makes exercise the ideal combatant for any immediate stress you may be under, but it can also give you enhanced immunity against future stress as you continue with your day.
It is often said that upon rising, your first choices and actions set the tone for the rest of your day. With this in mind, what better way to kick-start your day than with a sweaty exercise session to get your heart rate up?
Thanks to the burst of feel-good chemicals and stress relievers triggered during exercise, by including a workout at the beginning of your day you’re setting yourself up for a more productive, much happier day ahead.
Exercise is known to flood the body with feel-good chemicals; as a result, it is no surprise that studies have shown exercise to be highly effective for reducing symptoms of depression. Overall, you can see how all of the benefits of exercise put together to contribute towards a reduced risk of depression. A more productive, stress-free and generally happier person is going to be less susceptible to the symptoms that depression can cause.
Despite happiness being the most obvious advantage of a regular exercise routine, it is probably also the most overlooked.
Exercise is brilliant at helping the body to release a rush of endorphins, releasing those ‘feel good’ chemicals for a huge mood-boost. So, even though exercising may be the last thing on your mind after a tough day – why not give it a try? People will rarely express their regret at having made a trip to the gym! You’re more likely to hear people moan that they regret missing that Zumba class or run with friends.
It doesn’t get much better than that, does it?
You knew that exercise was good for you, but by now it should really be hitting home just how crucial regular exercise can be for a healthy, happy life.
But I hear you, ‘I’m just too busy for exercise’, you scream!
If you’re convinced of the benefits that exercising for just 30-minutes a day will offer you, but still lack the motivation to actually get started, here are some tips for integrating regular exercise into your life.
Just 30-minutes PER DAY are all it takes to begin reaping those many benefits of exercise.
Exercise isn’t necessarily just for the gym. Any activity, as long as you’re working up a sweat and getting your heart racing, is good enough for you! Whether it’s badminton, a belly dancing class, swimming, jogging, netball, football or just a run around in the park with your kids; you’re on the right track.
Do you plan on getting to the gym or going for a run in the morning? Then put your work clothes next to your alarm clock. Better yet, try putting your alarm clock across the room from you. This should force you to get up and out of bed in the morning and with those gym clothes sitting there ready, how can you resist?
Get others involved in your new exercise routine. Why not ask a friend if they fancy trying a new class with you? Find a running buddy? Or why not even get the whole family out and active during weekends? Make yourself accountable to others and turning down the chance to exercise should no longer feel like an option.
After reading this you should find that you’re out of good reasons to not exercise? We all lead busy, hectic lives; these are hectic times after all! But the more hectic your life is, the more you need to exercise!
So give it a try! Get moving, in any form, for at least 30 minutes a day. Even if you only commit to this routine for a week, give it a go and see for yourself what it can do for you.
If you want to live a life that you love, you’ve got to be feeling your best. So get moving!
It can be hard to actually start to enjoy your exercising, but it's not impossible.
As mentioned in this article, exercising has some great benefits, even if it's only for 30 minutes a day.
With hypnosis, you can begin to learn how to enjoy exercise and stay motivated. This can then help to improve your mood and keep you positive.
Click here to visit the ‘Enjoy Exercise' Self Hypnosis Program.
