Runner feet sunrise
It is a known fact that your moods are affected by exercise and there is a direct link between a healthy mind and body. You might even say that sweat is a new form of anti-depressant. It was over 400 years ago that the founding father of medicine, Greek philosopher "Hippocrates", discovered that exercise can be used as a remedy for mental exercise.
You might have even heard the expression, "Being of Sound Mind and Body", well there is physical proof that the two are connected at the deepest of levels, a healthy body produces a health mind.
It has been proven through research that when you exercise your body releases endorphins that affect your brain resulting in an endorphin high, this is what makes you feel great right after working out. When you workout you increase the amount of blood flow to your brain which in turn stimulates the natural mood enhancing chemicals that are called endorphins. What you feel from the release of these endorphins is a natural high, often compared to a "runners high" which are similar to a natural form of the narcotic morphine.
Exercising on a regular basis has been known to improve both your mind and body by decreasing your levels of stress and depression, sleep disorders, mood changes, anxiety, and helping to develop self-esteem; the more your exercise, the better you look and feel about yourself.
Getting started on a regular exercise program is not always easy and it does take some self-motivation, but you'll be happy to know that studies have shown that your brain can be changed through experience. This means that your brain is able to process positive experiences as a reward; at that time your brain releases dopamine which tells your brain to do it again. This means when you exercise and experience the positive results of working out, your brain will tell you to do it again because of the way it feels.
The more you exercise, the more your body will start to crave the way exercising makes you feel. If you're not used to exercising, no need to worry, studies have shown that it doesn't matter what type of exercise you do, just get moving, any type of exercise is beneficial to both your mind and body.
Adding exercise to your daily routine can be as simple as parking your car in a spot that's further away from the entrance to the mall, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, getting off the bus a couple of stops early, or even walking the kids to school. Just get moving. Also, be sure to drink lots of water, you need to stay hydrated when you're working out.
It may not happen overnight, but I think you'll be pleasantly surprised to find that by just making an effort to start exercising you will find that you not only feel better but look better as well. Regular exercise benefits the mind, body, and soul, creating results that can affect you for the rest of your life.
