Are the holidays holding you back from needed self-care activities?
Many people drop exercising or taking time for themselves during the holidays. This year with the pandemic added to the mix, we’re here to remind you of a few incredible benefits that movement, exercise, and self-care can give you.
Even now…. especially now….it’s so important to take care of yourself!
Benefit #1: Confidence: People who exercise regularly are more confident and live happier lives.
Regular exercise will boost your confidence and inspire happiness…who couldn’t use a little boost these days? This exercise benefit comes from the amazing combination of feel-good hormones that come from both the physical and mental accomplishment of a great workout. Get out for a walk, crank up the tunes for a favorite workout, or find a YouTube exercise video to get you inspired (check out a few options our PTs put together a little earlier this year below)!
Benefit #2: Stress Reduction: People who put in the effort and take the time to “turn down the volume” on stress reactions in their bodies are less likely to feel drained and tired due to the weight of stressors in their lives.
We are all less able to handle the stresses that come our way when we’re depleted by physical and emotional exhaustion. Or, put another way, we are more resilient and more able to handle life’s stress when we are feeling our best both physically and emotionally. A massage, a hot bath, or another form of pampering revitalizes you inside and out. Movement and exercise activities reduce stress by keeping your mind occupied and the feel-good hormones flowing in your body. People who neglect their own needs and forget to nurture themselves are at danger of deeper levels of unhappiness, low self-esteem, and feelings of resentment. Find a way to take care of yourself – it’s important!
Benefit #3: Better Health: People who exercise regularly are generally healthier and live longer.
Not only does exercise helps lower bad cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood pressure, while improving the amount of good cholesterol in your body. Exercise strengthens your bones and muscles, lowers your risk of cancer, decreases stress, and helps you achieve and maintain a healthy body weight.
Exercise and self-care activities trigger your body’s relaxation response. Simply put, the relaxation response is the opposite of your body’s stress response—your “off switch” to your body’s tendency toward fight-or-flight. This relaxation response occurs when the body is no longer in perceived danger (stress), and the nervous system functioning returns to normal.
So, if you would like to be healthier, be more confident, live longer, and be happier then get moving and take care of YOU!
-Marsha Wykes, PT & Health Coach
