…Motivate Those Muscles!…

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Staying fit isn’t always easy in fact many gym goers would say keeping track of their fitness goals, heading out to exercise in all weather and remaining positive even when you’ve not hit your personal best is very difficult. We all know that exercise is good for you, but when life gets in the way, it’s all too easy to flop down on the sofa than lace up those running shoes.

Kit Yourself Out

There’s nothing like shiny new gym gear, bespoke running shoes or a set of new weights to get us in the right frame of mind. If your trainers are looking decidedly worn out then it may be time to treat yourself to a new pair. By investing in your gear, and therefore in yourself, you’ll make the connection between the financial outlay and your workout the next time you think about slacking off. After all, no one wants to buy a pair of $100 sneakers just to have them gather dust in a cupboard! Don’t just stick to clothing either, bring your passion for fitness and tech together by buying a tracking device or FitBit that’ll map your route, time your workout, measure your heart rate and give you free fitness tips! Modern running shoes are also lots lighter than older models, can be squashed into bags and mean you can just take everything to work with you.

Sign Up For A Challenge

For many people, the ultimate opportunity to show off their fitness as well as raising money for charity and boosting confidence is a fitness challenge. It doesn’t have to be anything huge after all a full marathon is a whopping 27 miles, but you could sign up for a half-marathon instead. Competitions are also a great way of helping to track your progress, and those such as the Isagenix IsaBody Competition emphasize a story-led approach with participants sending in before and after photographs. Mind you if you’re looking for something a little more hardcore, and you like getting down, and dirty as well as being extremely competitive then why not enter Tough Mudder? It’s a hell of a lot of fun as well as attracting some of the fittest people in the region. Designed by British Forces experts the twelve-mile course will definitely test your mettle as well as being full of obstacles to navigate and lots of soupy mud to wade through.

Get Off The Treadmill

If you’re starting to hate your treadmill or cross trainer with a passion, then it’s time that you mixed your workout up a little. Why not try climbing? Hiking? A dance class? Martial arts or even HIIT swimming? These are all fantastic high energy activities that’ll have you burning calories much quicker than you might while running. For example, just one session of Zumba could see you burning up to a thousand calories! While HIIT swimming is ideal for strengthening your inner core and building up muscle tone at the same time as trying out something different.There’s no harm in exercising as a group either so why not go on a bike ride? Play a frenetic game of five-a-side soccer or explore the countryside on horseback?

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…Why Dealing with an Addiction is a Lifelong Process…

When someone becomes addicted to drugs or alcohol, it’s something that stays with them for the rest of their lives. That doesn’t mean that they can’t recover and lead a normal life. However, it does mean that they are considered an addict at all times, and are always at risk of lapsing. If you want to know more about why this is the case, here is some useful information to help you.

Drug Taking and Happiness Get Linked in the Brain

This is a thing that not many people understand. When you take drugs and become addicted to them, it’s something that all happens in the brain. And it can actually require your brain and change your way of thinking too. For example, you can find that people who are recovering addicts still get things known as euphoric recalls. These are lapses when they recall what the pleasant feeling that comes with taking drugs was like. It’s like a craving, and it has to be resisted if the recovering addict wants to remain on track. When something like that is hardwired in the brain, it becomes impossible to shake off.

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Addiction Overrides Your Rationality

Another thing that happens when your brain gets addicted to a particular drug is that the addiction overrides rationality. This means that a person’s decision-making skills become impaired, and that means bad decisions can be made without the addict fully realises what they have done until it’s too late. This is another thing that never truly goes away once you have an addiction. It’s all about learning to manage and control urges and stay rational at all times. It’s not easy, but it’s something that all recovering addicts have to learn how to do.

 

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Problems Can Mount on Top of One Another

Problems that are associated with drug or alcohol addiction can mount up pretty fast if you’re not careful. For example, if you get addicted to alcohol, you will end up spending a lot of money on drinks. And you could also get into trouble with the law if you drive under the influence of alcohol. If you find yourself in that situation, you should look for lawyers for information on cases involving DWI. But if you can’t do that, and you get sentenced, that will be another problem for you to deal with. And when you have all that to contend with, getting clean will be the last thing on your mind.

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It Can Return at Times of Stress

Recovering addicts are usually at most risk of regressing and suffering problems when they are going through periods of stress in their life. This is understandable because drugs often act like a kind of crutch. People look for something that can act like some kind of shield or comfort blanket. Drink and drugs are often the things they turn to because they know that they can get that hit that will make them feel better, at least for a short period of time. So, that’s why recovering addicts have to be careful to stay away from and manage stress as well as possible.

…Winning Your Battle of the Bulge: Exercises and Techniques to Tame Your Belly Fat Fast…

Losing weight is a challenge for many people. Not only can it be difficult to find the time to get to the gym a couple of times a week, the exercises you are doing may not be enough to get you to your weight goals. If you find yourself exercising but not seeing any results, especially in your belly area, then you may want to refocus and try some new exercises.

There are tons of different exercises that you can find to burn belly fat quickly and effectively. There are also some eating habits that you need to get better at to help your workouts the best you can.

Here are a few techniques and exercises you can do to finally get rid of that stubborn belly fat once and for all.

Eat Right

If you don’t eat right, then your workouts aren’t going to be able to help you get rid of the belly fat. Sure, you’ll gain muscle and be in overall better shape, but you have to stop packing on more fat on top after you’ve burned it away.

The most important thing is that you cut sugar from your diet as best you can. This doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a nice dessert or piece of candy every once in awhile, but you don’t want to eat sugar every day. This includes cutting back on your carbohydrate intake and, if you drink, alcohol intake. These things turn into sugars in your body and will hinder you from reaching your weight goal.

Focus on eating lean meats and fruits and vegetable every day. The meat will provide you with the protein you need and the fruits and vegetables will give you vitamins and nutrients all while making you feel less hungry.

Try a Stationary Bike

One of the best pieces of equipment you can buy for your home is an exercise bike. Not only will the convenience make you more likely to workout regularly, you can really burn away your belly fat with a few different workout routines.

Just 30 minutes a day a few days a week of high-intensity pedaling will start showing you results in no time. You can burn nearly 100 calories every 10 minutes, so the longer you ride — and the more often you ride — the better your results will be.

Don’t Forget the Classics

Losing belly fat is all about eating right and burning calories, so if you don’t have room for exercise equipment in your home or apartment, you can also try the tried-and- true exercises like push ups, sit ups and jumping jacks to workout.

You can do these exercises any time you want, so there’s really no excuse for not working out. They burn calories and also help you build muscle, two great weight to finally get rid of your belly fat for good.

With patience and persistence, these exercises and techniques will help you lose your excess fat and meet your weight goals.

Cameron Gray is a personal fitness trainer who shares his exercise and fitness tips and tricks around the web with his articles.

…Could You Have a Calcium Deficiency?…

For our bodies to run efficiently, they need to be receiving the correct balance of vitamins and minerals. Often we’re able to get these from our diet, but sometimes things can go wrong. Certain eating habits, dietary requirements or illnesses can mean we’re either not getting enough, or not properly absorbing what we do get which can lead to some serious issues. A calcium deficiency is something that can affect certain people and can be incredibly dangerous. We all know calcium is needed for strong teeth and bones, but did you also know it’s essential for nerve health, stabilizing blood pressure and muscle contractions? Here are some of the reasons you could develop a calcium deficiency.

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You Don’t Eat Certain Food Groups

If you’re a vegan or just exclude dairy from your diet, you have an increased risk of becoming deficient in calcium. There are lots of other sources of calcium that don’t come from dairy, so you definitely don’t have to eat animal products for this nutrient. But it’s important to keep an eye on it, especially if it’s a recent change you’ve made in your diet. You could look at AlgaeCal reviews for one example of calcium supplements if you’re not quite hitting your daily target.

You’re an Older Adult

Hormonal changes, especially in women after the menopause can result in calcium being leeched from the bones. This can cause brittle bones, osteoporosis and mean that any kind of fall or injury can be extremely dangerous. Many older people who fracture a hip never make it out of the hospital, it’s shocking that a simple fall can be fatal. On top of this, as we age our bodies struggle to absorb nutrients like they once did. So even if you’re eating a healthy diet, it’s something to be aware of. Having a bone density scan will let you know if you’re on track or need to make changes.

You Have Other Health Issues

A low calcium level can be a result of a problem with the parathyroid glands, these are located in the neck and control the body’s calcium level. They release a hormone into the blood which increases the body’s ability to absorb calcium from food and increases the kidney’s ability to hold on to calcium that would otherwise be lost in the urine. So when these glands malfunction, it naturally causes some severe problems in the body. Kidney disorders can also be a cause as again the kidney isn’t storing the calcium and is instead removing it in the urine. Certain drugs can also cause a problem too, as they interrupt this delicate balance. If you have been diagnosed with brittle bones or are experiencing symptoms of a calcium deficiency such as muscle cramps and spasms, numbness and tingling, this is something to get checked out.

Are you at risk of getting a calcium deficiency? What steps will you take to prevent this?

 

…Make Small Healthy Changes While Aiming For A Bigger Picture…

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Trying to lose weight, get fit, or gain muscle can require huge changes to your life, but for many people these changes, when implemented all at once, are completely unsustainable. When you make such a huge overhaul, deprive yourself of everything you enjoy, and force yourself to expend energy you just don’t have, you’re far more likely to catch yourself binging on forbidden junk food at 11 pm that you ever were. Instead, taking small but positive steps towards an ultimate goal allows you time to adjust to your new lifestyle. After all, being healthy isn’t just about crash dieting and going gym crazy for a month a year – it’s about creating a healthy lifestyle for the future, forever. Here are some little changes you can make to your daily life in order to see an overall improvement in wellbeing, without any serious relapses.

Get your walking boots on

Signing up to a year-long gym subscription, only to lose the motivation within a month, is probably not the most economical way to approach a new healthy lifestyle. Instead, start by increasing the distance you walk every day. Just a half hour walk every single day, non-stop, is enough to have a huge impact on your overall fitness. Take the stairs, not the elevator, walk to work or the store, and set up walking dates with your girl friends – it’s even an excuse to buy a family dog, if you wanted one.

Cut the chips

Snacking when you’re not hungry is one of the leading causes of obesity, and let’s face it, most snack foods are junk. Eating healthy meals which contain a lot of protein but low calories will enable you to feel full for longer, which is great for a weight loss diet. This will help you to avoid binging on calorific and unhealthy junk foods, as you’ll find your hunger is abated for longer. If you do want a snack, have a piece of fruit, a few nuts, or some veggie sticks.

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Switch out the soda

Soda tends to be so high in calories, sugar, and even caffeine that you’re doing your body a huge disservice, even if it claims to be sugar-free. Caffeine is a diuretic, meaning you’ll end up dehydrated, and the rest is just empty calories that will end up being stored as fat. Switch your soda for plain old H2O and see how easy it becomes to lose weight, and how much more awake and energetic you feel as well.

Cut the cigarettes

This is a seemingly small change which can make a world of difference. Not only will quitting smoking ensure you live longer, healthier, and happier, it’ll also make you feel great more immediately. Within days your sense of smell returns, your lungs clear up, and you feel more energetic and fitter. And if that’s not incentive enough, just think about what it could do for your bank balance.

Join a team

Starting at a gym, or deciding to go jogging four times a week, can be really unsustainable for many people. Some just don’t find it fun, and some just don’t feel motivated to push themselves. Joining a local sports team surrounds you with people who’ve got the motivation thing sorted for you. You meet like-minded people, learn a skill, and get fit. And it will just keep you wanting to go back for more.

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Take some time to breathe

Stress and anxiety are not particularly helpful for weight loss or fitness goals. When you’re stressed, your body decided to pile on the pounds in a system that’s still a hang-up from our days living in caves. It puts pressure on your heart, makes your skin look dull and unhealthy, and all in all isn’t a great way to be. Taking some time to yourself, breathing deeply, and celebrating small successes enables you to love your body, and helps your body to take better care of itself. This, in turn, enables your fitness journey. Take holidays, take days off to relax, and don’t forget to go for the occasional massage, if that’s your sort of thing.

Don’t sweat the screw ups

Sometimes it doesn’t all go according to plan. Sometimes a huge chocolate cake or a family-size bag of chips becomes far too attractive after a long day at work. Don’t punish yourself if you give in to temptation, and don’t berate yourself either. Keep looking forward, and keep aiming for your goals. The occasional screw up isn’t going to set you back as far as you might think, so long as they’re only occasional.

Fitness goals are all about making sustainable changes, not crash dieting. Good luck, and remember that you have totally got this.

…The Eight Principles of Attachment Parenting…

All parents want to form a close emotional bond with their children and it begins the moment

those children are born. But, parents approach this goal in many different ways because they

need a style that is consistent with their views and values. Some people treat their children as

tiny adults who can be approached rationally. Other parents turn to discipline to socialize unruly

kids. And still others let their children run the show.

 

As soon as you find out you are going to be a parent, you begin researching and trying to gain

enough knowledge so that you feel like you have some level of control. But, the amount of

parenting advice is overwhelming. How are you supposed to choose a method? You might try

some trial and error. Don’t be afraid to try something or to change your approach if the previous

one doesn’t feel like a good fit for your family.

 

One popular parenting approach is attachment parenting, which focuses on the nurturing link

parents create with their children. Proponents argue that this connection is the best way to raise

children who are empathetic, secure, and independent. As they see it, a trusting, safe attachment

to parents during childhood is the foundation for independence and secure relationships as adults.

According to Attachment Parenting International—a global educational association for this

parenting approach—there are eight principles of attachment parenting. Parents are encouraged

to interpret these principles and put them into action as they choose.

 

Prepare Physically and Emotionally for Pregnancy, Birth, and Parenting

By researching all of the options and learning about stages of development, parents can set

realistic expectations and remain adaptable in their responses to these situations.

 

Feed Your Child with Love and Respect

Ideally, babies should be breastfed, but “bottle nursing” can also help begin a secure attachment.

Infants and children will give feeding cues that parents should respond to, encouraging their

children to eat when they are hungry and stop when they feel full. Also, parents should model

healthy eating behavior and healthy food choices.

 

Respond to Your Child with Sensitivity

Parents need to pay attention to what their children are communicating and answer appropriately

and consistently. Babies can’t calm themselves, so they need parents to help them regulate their

feelings.

 

Use a Nurturing Touch

Babies need affection, physical contact, stimulation, security, and movement. These are all

satisfied through touch, and skin-to- skin contact is recommended. Older children need hugs,

physical play, and snuggling.

 

Ensure Your Child Sleeps Safely, Both Emotionally and Physically

Sleep training routines are detrimental to children, so parents are encouraged to co-sleep with

their children. This allows parents to respond to their children’s needs and to help soothe them

when their emotions become intense.

 

Provide Your Child with Loving and Consistent Care

Children need the physical presence of a caregiver who is loving, consistent, and responsive. If

parents must be absent, they should choose another caregiver to help strengthen attachment. To

remain present, parents should have flexible schedules and help to diminish fear and stress

during small separations.

 

Practice Positive Discipline with Your Child

A child should develop a conscience that is led by his or her own inner discipline and empathy

for others. Instead of reacting to a child’s actions, parents need to discover what caused them.

Parents and children work together to create a solution that allows everyone’s dignity to remain

intact.

 

Endeavor for Balance in Your Family and Personal Life

Parents can best be responsive when they are stable. They need to meet the needs of their family

without compromising their own wellbeing. Ways of doing this include putting people before

things, creating a support system, being willing to say “no,” and setting realistic goals.

 

Obviously, there will be times when circumstances don’t allow parents to adhere to the

attachment principles, like in stressful situations resulting from things like a death or an opiate

addiction in the family. But, they can all be modified to meet the needs of the individual family.

Opiate addiction treatment can help you get your life back on track and

reverse many of the damaging effects that the addiction has had on your values, your family and

your life.

…How To Prevent Running Injuries…

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Running is your escape from the stresses and strains of daily life, and helps you to keep fit and feel good. However, if you don’t take the proper precautions, you could end up having to hang up your trainers and you might suffer from pain and discomfort. According to research, runners get around four injuries for every thousand hours they spend working out. This means that if you haven’t already suffered one, the chances are that it is on the cards sometime soon. Here is how to protect yourself so that you can keep doing what you love…

Stretching is one of the best ways to prevent injuries from running. Learn how to warmup and cool down effectively, and not only are you less likely to have problems – your runs will be easier and more enjoyable. Aside from pre and post workout, it’s a good idea to get into the habit of doing regular stretching exercises as well. You can get some ideas for getting started here.

Run with good posture to avoid putting unnecessary pressure on your feet, knees and hips. Make a concerted effort to pull yourself up to your full height, and try to correct yourself if you slip as you’re moving along. If you’re not sure what your posture is like when you run, ask someone to take a video on your phone and study it to find out how you can improve.

Getting yourself kitted out properly is essential to minimise the risk of hurting yourself while running. Don’t wear any old shoes, take your time to find the best possible running shoes that fit well and feel comfortable. There are a lot of running equipment specialists who promise to assess you to find the best trainers, but the jury is out on how effective these assessments are. If your shoes are comfortable and have good cushioning, you’re probably on the right track.

Get a knee sleeve to look after your joints as you run. Although these are often only used by runners who already have some sort of injury, they can also be very effective in preventing problems from arising in the first place. You can find knee sleeves at http://www.mobilityguardian.com/best-knee-sleeves-reviews.

Over training, that is, running more often than your body is capable of, dramatically increases the chances that you will sustain an injury of some kind. Don’t run too far for too long, especially when you are starting out or trying to increase your pace. Make sure that you have regular rest days to give your body time to recover.

Running on concrete is extremely hard on the knees, as there is nothing to absorb the shock that occurs each time your feet hit the ground. Try to do your running on grass or dirt trails to keep your knees in good shape.

If you’d like to change things up and have a break from your usual running routine, try this HIIT game – it’s fun and can help you to get even fitter for your next trip to the track!

…Eat Yourself Fit…

When it comes to getting fit, and maintaining a healthy weight – or finding your healthy weight if you are on a weight loss journey – many assume that sports and a balanced diet are all you need. Indeed, they sign up to their local gym and exercise hard regularly until they hit what is called a plateau, a point where the body doesn’t seem to want to change anymore despite having not yet reached their goals. This is because focusing only on your workouts to burn fat and build muscle is not enough. You are missing something! You need to change your approach to food: The food you eat is not your enemy. It can even boost up your fitness levels if you know what to eat!

Healthy snacks

Smart Diet Full Of Proteins

As you start exercising, it is important to focus on a protein rich diet as this will help your body to build muscle and burn fat. While you can, of course, choose protein shakes, it’s always a good idea to orientate your diet in a way that provides the appropriate terrain for your muscle and fitness program. Check a previous article of the blog, http://www.infinitelifefitness.com/2017/02/10/surprising-foods-that-help-us-to-get-fit/, that discusses smart foods that support your fitness goals. Salmon is, for a start, a protein-rich fish that helps not only building muscle, but also improving the overall strength of your muscle. Lentils are another good example of healthy food: They are naturally low in fat, but they provide plenty of protein and fiber which is ideal for any weight loss plan: It’s food for the muscle and the digestive system! So prepare a delicious lentil salad for lunch; it’s full of goodness.

Smart Fat Burning Foods

There is more to food that just smart meals. There are also the snacks and the foods that actively help your body to burn more fat. Using coconut oil as part of your cooking routine will have a positive effect, for example. Indeed, despite being naturally rich in calories, coconut oil requires more calories from your body to be processed than it provides. As long as you don’t overdo it, it’s a great thing to have in your kitchen. Avocados have a similar effect on the body: While being calorie-rich, they are full of healthy fatty elements that boost fat burn in your body. Additionally, you can also use daily recipes that are simple to prepare such as this one from http://thealternativedaily.com/add-coconut-oil-honey-and-cinnamon-to-coffee/: Adding coconut oil, honey, and cinnamon to your daily cup of coffee will kick start your fat burning system. You can find plenty of detox water recipes that help to boost your metabolism throughout the day too.

Smart Portion Control

Last but not least in the smart eating methodology, is the correct portion control. For many, eating less is key to weight loss, but in truth, you will need different volumes of carbs, protein, and vegetables as you help your body to tone up. Have a look at reusable diet control containers – here on Amazon – to help you to plan balanced and healthy meals. Additionally, it’s important to develop a healthy understanding of portion sizes, as described here on http://www.webmd.com/diet/ss/slideshow-serving-sizes, as you need to combine the calorie intake with healthy levels of vitamins and minerals. Understanding the food you eat is the best way to fill your plate appropriately!

 

…Are You At The End Of Your Tether?…

We all know that the quest for fitness is a hard one. While we all have different reasons for going down the fitness path, we all face the same problems. There are many faddy fitness trends that promise to make the quest easier, but few work. In truth, the only way to achieve your goals is strong commitment. Even so, the traditional fitness routes don’t work for everyone. For some of us, the hard exercise never pays off. If that sounds like you, it’s important not to lose hope. There are routes you can go down to make fitness easier to find. While none of these routes can replace exercise, they can give you the boost you need to keep up the struggle. If that sounds good to you, here’s what you need to do.

 

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KNOW YOUR REASONS

Before you can make your journey easier, you need to know why you’re exercising. Do you want to get fit, lose weight, or both? Without knowing this, you won’t know how to make the journey easier. In fact, this realisation in itself will help you. Undirected exercise can be hard to master. Your routine may be all over the place if you don’t know what you want to achieve. Let’s be honest, that may be why you haven’t seen results. Take time to write down a list of your goals. The results may surprise you. Once you have that list, reconsider your routine. If weight loss is your goal, visit sites like https://www.popsugar.com to see the best exercise for you. If it’s fitness you’re after, research will lead you to what works. Keep your goals in mind, too, when deciding what you can do to make things easier.

RESEARCH YOUR OPTIONS

Once you’ve set your mind on a goal, it’s time to research your options. If weightloss is your goal, you could inspire yourself by improving your diet, or attempting non-surgical methods of weight loss like the ones found at https://beautifullyalive.org/what-is-coolsculpting-everything-you-need-to-know/. Losing a little weight from the off will encourage you to continue the journey. If it’s fitness you’re after, it’s not so easy to start. But, that’s not to say there’s no help out there. Again, improving your diet will help. Taking vitamin supplements to improve your energy levels could also be useful.

DON’T FORGET TO EXERCISE

No matter what other methods you use, it’s important you continue to exercise. If not, your other efforts will go to waste. Nothing compares to hard work and commitment. If you fail to keep up your fitness regime, nothing will change. Remember that these alternative methods are to give you a boost, not to replace exercise. Remember, too, that your routine will be easier to work with a clear goal in mind. Use the list you’ve written to devise a plan that works. Keep up with weight loss exercise to keep the fat you’ve burnt at bay. Make sure you use the energy those supplements give you by exercising daily to improve your fitness.

…What’s The Link Between Fitness & A Healthy Mind? …

When it comes to getting fit, the reason that most people start a fitness regime is improve their physical health, slim down, tone up, or train for a sports event. While getting fit is a great way to do all of those things, what a lot of people don’t realize is that getting fit also has a positive impact on the mind.

For over a decade, scientists have been researching the impact that regular exercise has on our mental state. So far, studies have shown that getting yourself into peak physical fitness comes with an array of benefits for your mental health.

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Research has also shown that one of the main things that motivates people to stay active isn’t having a healthier body or being more toned, it’s the mental health benefits that come with exercise. Yes, looking good is great, but feeling good is just as important, maybe even more important.

So, with that in mind, below is a list of the different ways that getting fit can help to give your mind a health boost. If a healthy mindset isn’t motivation for being more active, nothing is. The question is, what are the benefits that people who exercise regularly see, in terms of their mental health?

Feeling less stressed

Had a bad day at work? Argued with your partner? Worrying about the kids? A quick workout could be the answer to de-stressing and feeling better. Whether you choose to head to the gym, attend a yoga class, or go for a walk with the dog, it doesn’t matter. The important thing is that by being physically active and increasing your fitness levels, you will begin to feel less stressed. This is partly because exercise encourages the production of norepinephrine, a chemical that helps the brain to moderate stress levels and keeps you feeling calmer. So not only can working out help you to relax when you’re already feeling stressed, but it can also improve your ability to deal with stress in the future.

Being happier

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Research has also shown that exercise can make you feel happier. Yes, working out can be hard, but afterward, once the workout is over, you should feel happier and more content. This is because exercise releases endorphins and endorphins make you happy, which is why people who exercise on a regular basis tend to be happier than people who don’t. Studies have shown that the power of endorphins can even help to improve the moods of people suffering from depression, which means that they must be pretty powerful. It’s not about working out like crazy; it’s about exercising on a regular basis, ensuring that you’re active as often as possible, even if for short periods of time. Remember, the type of exercise you do doesn’t matter, whether it’s playing a team sport, practicing pilates, or attending a swimming class – just as long as you’re being active, that’s all that matters.

Having more confidence

There’s no doubt about it, getting physically fit can help to boost confidence and self-esteem. A lot of people presume that this is because when you’re physically active, you tend to be in better shape than when you’re not exercising on a regular basis, and are more trim and toned. While this does play a part in feeling more confident when you exercise regularly, it’s also down to the fact that regular exercise makes you feel better in yourself, increasing your self-worth and boosting your confidence. Being confident isn’t just about how you look, it’s also about how you feel, and it’s important to realize that.

Less anxious

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Every now and then, we all feel anxious. Maybe you’re heading out on a first date, perhaps you’ve got an exam to sit, or maybe you’re starting a new job – it’s normal to feel a little anxious. However, what’s not normal is feeling anxious all the time. Studies have shown that in the US, over 40 million adults suffer from anxiety – that’s a huge chunk of the population. While a lot of people make the mistake of thinking that the best way to calm someone suffering from anxiety is to help them to relax, actually exercise has been proven to be more effective in the long-run. The chemicals that the body releases during exercise have been proven to help people suffering from anxiety to calm down, both in a moment of severe anxiety and also in the long-term. You see, studies have shown that people who have anxiety and exercise regularly are twice as likely as people who have anxiety and don’t exercise, to lead a happier life.

Have sharper memories

Scientists have discovered that taking part in regular physical activity gives your memory a boost, making it more likely that you will remember things more clearly. The reason for this is because as we are exercising, the production of cells in the hippocampus, increases – this is the part of the mind that is responsible for memory. A study has shown that among adults who spring regularly, it’s easier for them to learn and remember new words, compared to adults who don’t regularly exercise.

Able to focus more easily

Do you ever have those days where you feel completely and utterly uninspired? Do you ever feel like no matter what you do, you can’t focus? Well, you’ve guessed it, exercise can help with that too. Studies have shown that people who take the time to exercise on a regular basis tend to be able to focus more easily, and are also more productive. Research also shows that the best time to exercise is halfway through the day, during your lunch hour. Although it might be difficult to squeeze a workout into your lunch hour, if you are able to manage to, the chances are you will do better at work because of it. Research has also identified that if nootropics are used in conjunction with exercise to improve focus, as the 101nootropics website suggests, the results achieved can be even better. Who would have thought that exercise and some carefully selected supplements could make focusing on work, and also other tasks, that much easier?

More relaxed

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Although some people find exercising too close to bedtime can lead to insomnia for many others it can have the opposite effect. Studies have shown that for some people, spending an hour at the gym, half an hour swimming, or even going for a quick bike ride, can aid relaxation, making falling asleep much quicker and easier. The reason that exercise helps to aid relaxation is because working out increases your body temperature, and then when you finish working out your temperature drops, making your body think that it’s time to relax or even sleep, as our body temperatures tend to drop slightly at night. So, if you’re someone who struggles to relax, regular exercise could be the answer.

Be more creative

This might not seem like it’s linked to a healthy mind, but actually, creativity and mindset are closely linked. Scientists have found that for two to three hours after a workout, our minds are much more creative and open to creativity. Various studies have also shown that creativity can be a sign of happiness, as well as being a great way to reduce stress. Once you’ve worked out, you feel refreshed, which is what many scientists believe causes you to be able to be more creative after a workout than normal.

More energy

Another benefit of participating in regular exercise is that you will have more energy. Research has shown that by working out and raising your heartbeat three or more times a week, you will begin to have more energy. The key to building energy through exercise is starting slowly because at first, you will most probably feel more tired than anything else. However, over time as your stamina increases, you should find that regular exercise helps to give your energy levels a boost. It doesn’t matter what form of exercise it is that you choose to do, from Crossfit to trampolining, it doesn’t matter how you work out. All that matters is that you take things slowly at the start, as you build up your strength, stamina, and energy levels, and start feeling better in yourself.

Getting physically fit is something that can take a lot of time and effort, but don’t let that put you off. If you want to improve both your mental and physical health, taking the time to be more active and get in better shape is worth it. The fact is that when you’re active, your mental health is greatly improved, as is your physical health. As mentioned above, studies have shown that regular exercise reduces stress, makes anxiety more manageable, boosts confidence, and improves focus, among many other things. So making the time to be physically active on a regular basis is important, both for your physical and mental health. As a rule of thumb, aim to spend around five hours a week exercising, and you should see the benefit.