Spring is a beautiful time of year that brings renewed life to our environment and often sparks new well-being motivations. Exercise is one of our most potent and beneficial medicines. May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, another reminder of how movement gives us life and rejuvenation.
Exercise has many benefits. It strengthens our bones and muscles. It reduces our risk of certain cancers, helps us maintain healthy body weight, reduces our risk of heart disease, and increases our chances of living longer with a better quality of life. Exercise helps our bodies release substances such as endorphins and endocannabinoids that improve our mood and overall mental health, help us sleep well, improve our sexual health, and decrease widespread pain in our bodies. Exercise helps our brains stay sharp and enhances our learning and judgment skills. Exercising with others can be fun and have many social benefits as well.
Motivation to exercise comes like the waves of the ocean. Sometimes we catch a surf wave and ride it for quite some time before getting knocked down, and other times, we might get excited as the perfect wave approaches, only to faceplant several seconds later. Do not worry; it is uncommon to be an ideal exerciser.
The important thing is to reorient ourselves and keep riding those waves of motivation. Focus on your successes and not your faults. Shame is a tactic used by many well-meaning people and organizations to try and implement change. Still, we learn that shame cannot create long-term healthy change without psychological damage. Please don’t allow yourself or others to shame you regarding how your life is lived. Celebrate your successes and find ways to enjoy the fantastic benefits of exercise.
