There are countless benefits to exercise. Over the years, these are the five that I’ve found to benefit me the most:
1. It helps me sleep like a rock.
I love sleeping. It’s truly one of my favorite activities. I’m a grumpy pants if I don’t get enough sleep. However, at night if I’m not physically drained, my brain will race for hours before I can catch a little shuteye. I’ll think about everything from my future dreams to what bills I have to pay. Being physically tired helps me skip that step and not produce any unwanted anxiety by thinking about that kind of stuff before bed. Not to mention a good night sleep helps me wake up energized and excited for the day to come.
2. It helps me push myself in every facet of life.
Being physically active is more challenging than being intellectually active. We are constantly thinking but we are not constantly moving. Overcoming challenges in terms of my fitness has always pushed me to do more outside of the fitness realm. If I can be mentally tough enough to push myself physically – I can be mentally tough enough to push myself in any form.
3. It helps me be a better father.
Okay, I’m not a father. I’m only 22. But my main goal in life is to be the best father (and husband) possible. Not only compassionately, but physically too. That means I need to lead by example by maintaining or improving my fitness. In turn, I won’t be restricted when my kids ask me to play with them. I want to instill the values of health and wellness into my children for their own benefit, and that’s tough to do when you’re out of shape.
4. It helps me relax.
After (or even before) a long day, exercise is the best tool to decompress. In our busy culture it is inevitable to become stressed. That stress will undoubtedly boil over and hinder another aspect of your life – your work performance, your overall mood, your relationships, etc. Exercise increases the production of endorphins (your feel good neurotransmitters), it helps you shed your daily irritations by becoming your daily “get away” and it also improves your mood by causing you to sleep better, be more confident, and relieve anxiety.
5. It helps me cope with life.
No matter which way you look at it, life is hard. We can be so rich that we don’t have a care in the world – until your world is turned upside down by a tragedy. Everyone is susceptible to heart break, loss of a loved one, and death. Being active helps me cope with any hardship in a positive way. It may not solve the problem, but it helps me process and come to terms with reality. And in the mean time, because it helps me sleep like a rock, be a better father (and husband), to relax, and to challenge myself in every facet of life, I can be proud of the way I lived when it is all said and done.
Being committed to an exercise program is challenging – but the rewards outweigh the costs (high blood pressure, weight gain, low energy). Stay focused, stay committed, and you will have results. What are your top 5 reasons to exercise?