The Benefits of Finding Body Movement You Enjoy

Regardless of your reason, you understand that body movement can be beneficial and can make you feel happier.

What makes body movement so important, how do you embark upon a health and fitness Jurni you will enjoy, and what are some red flags to consider?

Let’s discuss.

THE IMPORTANCE OF BODY MOVEMENT

It Promotes Mental Health

An ever-growing body of research suggests that body movement is crucial for our mental health. It promotes feelings of well-being, elevates our mood, alleviates sleep problems, and develops confidence. For instance, research shows that physically active people are at a lower risk of suffering from depression. Additionally, putting patients with depression on a structured exercise program results in better clinical outcomes.

One likely explanation is that exercise floods the body with endorphins––opioid hormones that suppress pain, boost our mood and often bring about a sense of euphoria.

It Strengthens Your Muscles and Bones

Another overlooked benefit of body movement is that you strengthen your muscles and bones. Both outcomes are beneficial and necessary for long-term health and independence.

Stronger muscles contribute to a faster metabolic rate, superior insulin sensitivity, and independence. Similarly, strong bones mean you’re at a lower risk of fractures and better able to handle physical stress.

It Makes You More Functional

The third notable reason you should become more active is to improve your functional fitness and capacity for everyday tasks. Even small bits of physical activity can strengthen your muscles, making you better able to handle tasks like carrying groceries, doing manual labor, and walking up a flight of stairs without getting winded.

Many people lose their functionality and become dependent on others because they lead sedentary lives. Over time, that results in loss of functionality and muscle, impacting one’s quality of life.

OVERLOOKED BENEFITS OF BODY MOVEMENT 

Most people understand that body movement is essential, but few consider the benefits of finding exercise modalities you genuinely enjoy. Let’s go over four overlooked advantages.

You’re More Motivated

A notable benefit of enjoying your exercise routine is that you feel more motivated. Instead of dreading each upcoming training session, you welcome it with open arms, often feeling excited.

You’re More Consistent

Another notable benefit is that you’re more consistent. You feel more excited about your workouts and can’t wait to perform your favorite activities. Plus, motivation slumps occur less frequently, so you are at a lower risk of skipping sessions.

You Work Harder And Progress Quicker

The third benefit to consider is that enjoying your workouts makes you work harder. Instead of dreading sessions and looking for ways to finish quicker, you dive deep, pushing yourself and finding ways to improve. As a result, progress occurs more quickly, and you reach your goals in less time.

You Feel Happier

The fourth benefit of finding body movement you enjoy is that you simply feel better. Instead of seeing fitness as a burden on your life, it serves as a source of fulfillment and positive energy. Each time you think about fitness, you feel happy and proud that you’re doing something positive for yourself.

HOW TO EMBARK UPON A FITNESS JURNI? 

Start Small

Many people struggle to find enjoyment in fitness because they overwhelm themselves right from the start by trying to do things they aren’t ready for. While you might make some quick initial progress by pushing yourself hard, the approach rarely works in the long run. We are creatures of habits, and we don’t do well with massive and sudden changes.

A much better approach is starting small and making gradual changes to your behaviors. For example, if you haven’t been physically active in the last decade, you don’t need a high-frequency training program. Instead, you need to introduce a bit of activity into your daily life:

· Take the stairs

· Go for a walk

· Do a five-minute jog around your neighborhood

· Play some outdoor games with your kids.

Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment

A common mistake people make is trying a specific form of exercise and sticking with it despite a lack of enjoyment. For example, many people believe that working out means going to the gym, which isn’t necessarily true. You can work out in many ways, including walking or jogging outside, practicing yoga, hiking, etc.

Make health and fitness much more enjoyable by experimenting with various approaches until you come across something you genuinely enjoy.

Be Consistent

How often do you feel motivated, have a few workouts, and quit? People often find themselves in this situation because they rely on motivation and attempt to do too much right from the start.

A much better way to go about fitness is to make it effortless to get started and do something beneficial each day. It doesn’t even have to be the same thing each day, but simply a form of body movement that gets your heart rate up. It could be a walk one day, a game with your kids the next, and a few minutes of dancing with your significant other the day after.

Approach your days with the mindset of, “I’m going to move my body today” without overwhelming yourself with the details.

Watch Out For Red Flags

Many people embark upon a health and fitness Jurni full of excitement and positive energy. Sadly, the process often morphs into a burden that begins to weigh on your life instead of elevating it.

Learning to recognize and deal with red flags is crucial for keeping fitness a healthy and positive presence in your life. We’ll discuss what that means in the next point.

Subtle Red Flags That You’re Going Down a Bad Path 

Despite the overwhelmingly positive impact on your life, fitness can turn into something negative, and you must be mindful of any red flags that arise along the way. As briefly mentioned in the previous point, recognizing red flags is crucial for reaping the full benefits of fitness and keeping it as part of your life for a long time.

One of the most notable red flags to watch out for is becoming obsessed with fitness, which can come in many shapes. For instance, if your mood depends on seeing a smaller digit on the scale when you weigh yourself, you’re probably attaching too much importance to that single metric. Or maybe you’ve started tracking your calories and are now afraid to have meals outside because it makes it challenging to calculate your intake.

Obsession is different for everyone, and you must learn to recognize it early on before it turns into a significant problem. Many people develop body dysmorphia precisely because they become obsessed with an unattainable fitness physique and believe that anything less is something to be ashamed of.

Another red flag to be mindful of is getting anxious because you skip a workout or don’t train on a particular day. This can certainly be a sign that fitness is taking over your life, and you should take a step back to evaluate everything.

CONCLUSION

Body Movement is one of the most beneficial things you can do to feel better, live longer, and gain confidence. The great thing is that body movement can come in many forms, and there is no single ‘best’ way to approach fitness.

But, just as fitness can be exceptional, it can also turn into an obsession that impacts your thoughts, beliefs, and choices. You should embark upon a fitness journey you enjoy but learn to recognize red flags and do everything in your power to keep fitness a positive and constructive part of your life.