You can get high on exercise. As you work out, the amount of stress hormones in your system, like adrenaline and cortisol, goes down, and production of your body's homemade pain-killers and mood enhancers, endorphins, goes through the roof.[1] [2] [3] This process rewards you with an awesome runner's high (which, incidentally, you can get from other forms of exercise, too).
Exercise focuses a scattered mind. Playing sports and doing other physical activities with a lot of effort requires concentration. That's why athletes are sometimes oblivious to the crowd. You have to focus your attention on what matters most to performing the task at hand effectively. You have eliminate distractions. And you have to keep focused on what's happening in the present moment. A focused mind can help you see clearer and farther, so you can make the most of your opportunities.
Exercise can ground a mind that's drifted far off into the past or the future. Focus on your body's movements and how it is responding to the demands you're putting on it. By keeping your attention in the same space where you're physically present you will feel centered in your being.
Exercise can have a clearing effect on the mind, like meditation. You can use the rhythms in exercise, such as strides, strokes, or your pulse and breath, to settle your mind in a similar way to repeating a mantra or rolling prayer beads. Your mind can slip into these rhythms, like grooves that it can follow round and round until it comes to rest peacefully nearby.
After you've finished exercising, your mind will remain in this clear, collected and calm condition for some time. While in this state it will be inclined to notice the subtly beautiful qualities about yourself, your surroundings and the people you share it with.
You can get into the zone or flow through exercise. This space, where skill and challenge combine at their highest levels, harbors one of the most euphoric experiences we know.
Exercise can be a great time to socialize. Most forms of exercise can bring you together with other like-minded people to share an enjoyable experience. There are so many social benefits inherent in sports and athletics, like teamwork, mutual encouragement and collective accomplishment, that few other activities compare.
Revitalize a worn down spirit by going outside for some exercise. Running, biking, golf, most adventure and snow sports and lots of other sports happen outside and often in spectacularly beautiful settings. Go for a run at sunset or bike through a forest when the autumn leaves are multi-colored and you'll experience how exercise and nature are a perfect match. The combination leaves you feeling refreshed and happy to simply be alive.
A happy mood can unfortunately be fragile. But exercise can protect it by developing your defenses to stress.[4] [5] By definition, exercise is stressful, both physically and mentally. But, because it's fun or in some other way worthwhile, we put up with the pain, struggle, fear and failure that it often brings. Then we adapt and grow stronger. This kind of strength (will power, optimism, focus, etc.) comes to aid us wherever we encounter adversity.
Exercise boosts self-esteem.[6] We're instinctively attracted to the image of a physically fit human body. Liking the body you see in the mirror is a huge mood booster. Plus, society holds fitness up as a virtue. So, when you notice another person finding you attractive that feels real good, too.
Fitness enhances sexual performance. That's obviously going to make you feel pretty happy.
There's a radiant quality to a fit body. All matter vibrates, even though we usually can't notice it. Perhaps a fit body vibrates at a higher frequency, one closer to the visible light spectrum, and so it literally is glowing. Even if that's not true, I think we've all observed the phenomenon that super fit bodies seem to shine, especially in the skin, and sparkle in the eyes.
There are many physical, mental and even spiritual reasons why exercise is a good place to look to find happiness.[7]
Seek and ye shall find.
If you enjoyed this post consider tweeting or sharing it so others might, too.
BODY – MIND – SPIRIT
Exercise focuses a scattered mind. Playing sports and doing other physical activities with a lot of effort requires concentration. That's why athletes are sometimes oblivious to the crowd. You have to focus your attention on what matters most to performing the task at hand effectively. You have eliminate distractions. And you have to keep focused on what's happening in the present moment. A focused mind can help you see clearer and farther, so you can make the most of your opportunities.
Exercise can ground a mind that's drifted far off into the past or the future. Focus on your body's movements and how it is responding to the demands you're putting on it. By keeping your attention in the same space where you're physically present you will feel centered in your being.
Exercise can have a clearing effect on the mind, like meditation. You can use the rhythms in exercise, such as strides, strokes, or your pulse and breath, to settle your mind in a similar way to repeating a mantra or rolling prayer beads. Your mind can slip into these rhythms, like grooves that it can follow round and round until it comes to rest peacefully nearby.
After you've finished exercising, your mind will remain in this clear, collected and calm condition for some time. While in this state it will be inclined to notice the subtly beautiful qualities about yourself, your surroundings and the people you share it with.
You can get into the zone or flow through exercise. This space, where skill and challenge combine at their highest levels, harbors one of the most euphoric experiences we know.
Exercise can be a great time to socialize. Most forms of exercise can bring you together with other like-minded people to share an enjoyable experience. There are so many social benefits inherent in sports and athletics, like teamwork, mutual encouragement and collective accomplishment, that few other activities compare.
Revitalize a worn down spirit by going outside for some exercise. Running, biking, golf, most adventure and snow sports and lots of other sports happen outside and often in spectacularly beautiful settings. Go for a run at sunset or bike through a forest when the autumn leaves are multi-colored and you'll experience how exercise and nature are a perfect match. The combination leaves you feeling refreshed and happy to simply be alive.
A happy mood can unfortunately be fragile. But exercise can protect it by developing your defenses to stress.[4] [5] By definition, exercise is stressful, both physically and mentally. But, because it's fun or in some other way worthwhile, we put up with the pain, struggle, fear and failure that it often brings. Then we adapt and grow stronger. This kind of strength (will power, optimism, focus, etc.) comes to aid us wherever we encounter adversity.
Exercise boosts self-esteem.[6] We're instinctively attracted to the image of a physically fit human body. Liking the body you see in the mirror is a huge mood booster. Plus, society holds fitness up as a virtue. So, when you notice another person finding you attractive that feels real good, too.
Fitness enhances sexual performance. That's obviously going to make you feel pretty happy.
There's a radiant quality to a fit body. All matter vibrates, even though we usually can't notice it. Perhaps a fit body vibrates at a higher frequency, one closer to the visible light spectrum, and so it literally is glowing. Even if that's not true, I think we've all observed the phenomenon that super fit bodies seem to shine, especially in the skin, and sparkle in the eyes.
There are many physical, mental and even spiritual reasons why exercise is a good place to look to find happiness.[7]
Seek and ye shall find.
If you enjoyed this post consider tweeting or sharing it so others might, too.
BODY – MIND – SPIRIT
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