Photo by Sabri Tuzcu on Unsplash

I want you to take a second and think about your day. What’s on your to-do list? What are you anxious about getting done? What have you been putting on the back burner? Got these images in your mind? Good. Now I want you to close your eyes and think about your happy place. I want you to breathe slowly and imagine your perfect day. Picture how you’d like to feel at the end of your day. Present? Accomplished? Fulfilled? Now open your eyes.

So often we put a tremendous amount of pressure on ourselves about “getting everything done” when really, what do you have to show for it at the end of the day? I constantly hear coworkers and friends say, “I’ll exercise when…”, “I wish I had time to…” “I want to exercise but I have…” So often we put exercise on the back burner because of time. Time is truly a glimpse into our priorities. Remember, you can’t work from an empty cup. Every time you engage in exercise and self-care, you become a better person for yourself and everyone around you. Below are five major reasons why your world benefits from you prioritizing time to exercise in your life!

1. Your Energy Skyrockets

   Have you woken up in the morning only to hit the snooze button three more times because you know the long day you have ahead of you? Had every intention of waking up early to exercise but XYZ kept you up late the night before? We all have. Now imagine you woke up after your first alarm, excited and ready to start your day? Right away you’d save yourself 30 minutes by saying no to the dangerously convenient snooze button. Exercising in the morning isn’t your jam? No problem. Find the time of day where it works for you. When do you need a spark of energy?

2. Exercise Relieves Stress, Anxiety, & Depression

   As we explored in our last blog “Turn off the Noise and Tune in to What Your Body Can Do?” we’ve seen the medical proof behind how exercise relieves stress, anxiety, and depression. The great thing about exercise, is it increases blood circulation to our brain and talks with the parts of our brain that control motivation/mood (limbic system), memory (hippocampus), and fear response to stress (amygdala). It exposes more oxygen and nutrients to your brain along with proteins that keep your neurons healthy and able to grow. Studies have shown that physical activity and exercise leads to improved mood, self-image, social skills, cognitive functioning, successful substance abuse treatment and reductions in anxiety and “Type A” personality tendencies. (As a Type-A person, I cannot say enough about how exercise lowers my anxiety and stress). The better your mental health is, the more you are able to give and support others.

3. You Become a Better Parent, Partner, Co-Worker, Friend, etc…

   So often we put the needs of those around us before ourselves. Remember what they tell you on an airplane? Put your mask on first before helping those around you with their masks. That’s because you are worthless to others if you do not feel fulfilled. When you take time for yourself to exercise, you become the best possible version of yourself. Plus, think of the example it sets for your children, partner, friend when you show up for yourself by moving your body? When others see you taking care of yourself, you are teaching/reminding them to do the same. You become a better person for yourself and those in your inner circle.

4. Elevates Your Mood

   Have you noticed that after a good sweat session you almost instantly feel good? You feel happy, accomplished, and successful. Thats because of the chemical response in your brain that releases endorphins throughout your body. Endorphins diminish the perception of pain by binding to neuron receptors. So that “Mega-high” you feel after a 1-on-1 session is actually your brain sending a message throughout your body that you’re awesome, elevating your mood and boosting your self-esteem. When you’re happy, don’t those around you benefit? By boosting your mood through exercise, you create a positivity bubble around you. Who doesn’t like to surround themselves with positive, uplifting, confident people?

5. Your Overall Health Improves

   Exercise combats a number of health conditions and certain diseases including stroke, diabetes, arthritis, cancers, and high blood pressure, just to name a few. It strengthens your heart, muscle tone, and strength. Not to mention, it allows you to shrink unneeded body fat and get better sleep. If you’re pregnant, it can even ease symptoms (more on this in MegaMoms blog). Slow twitch muscle training, like in Core (LP)’s Megaformer workouts, improves joints, range of motion, flexibility, balance, endurance, core stability, and postural control. A healthy you means more energy and time with those you love. It’s a win win!

What ways does creating time to exercise benefit your world? Tell us in the comments!