There are many benefits to staying fit and healthy that are easy to overlook. We tend to notice things when they go wrong. When everything is flowing along nicely, we may forget to appreciate how much of a role our good fitness habits play in that.
Wellness helps prevent poor health outcomes, and it’s important to celebrate when that’s the case in our lives. Recognizing what we’re doing right and how that's keeping us from being sick or injured or otherwise health compromised can serve as motivation to keep at it.
Besides, it just feels good to remind yourself that you're actually making the time and effort to be in good fitness, and that's making a positive difference in your life. Your wellness and good health habits can also help inspire those around you.
Now on to taking note of the preventative power of fitness.
Your Physical Health
Your state of fitness certainly has an impact on your physical well being. Let’s celebrate the ways!
First, let’s recognize that physical fitness includes maintaining strength, cardiovascular wellness, and mobility and flexibility. A body that is strong allows you to move through your day with relative ease. You can lift and carry objects, children, bags, and pets as needed, without injuring yourself.
Mobility and flexibility, like strength, are also important when it comes to injury prevention. In addition, moving well is associated with fewer aches and pains. And, good mobility plays a key role in balance, which in turn is directly linked to preventing falls.
Considering cardiovascular fitness, this helps ensure that your heart and lungs–and the system they’re a part of–are in good working order. Not only do you generally feel better when your heart and lungs are working well, you lower your risk of cardiovascular disease. The benefit of this cannot be overstated: cardiovascular disease is a major source of health issues.
So take stock: thank your fitness for all the ways you are injury- and pain-free. Give thanks to all the things you can lift and carry with ease. Have gratitude for your healthy heart and lungs.
Your Mental and Emotional Health
Exercise is never a substitute for professional therapy, but it can have a very significant beneficial impact on your mental and emotional health.
Movement is a way to process emotional energy. People regularly report that movement helps clear their mind and release the stress and tension associated with emotionally challenging events. Similarly, movement can be very effective for getting out of mental or emotional states of feeling stuck.
Understanding that movement can be used as a tool this way can also transform your workouts. Oftentimes, working out, getting to the gym or getting out for your run or hike, can be seen as draining, something to lament, or that requires motivation.
Instead, you could view your exercise routine as a source of freedom and peace. A part of your week, your day, to really look forward to. This is the space to release the challenges of the day, instead of being one of the challenges of the day.
So take stock: whether or not your fitness regime is the best part of your day, take note of how it impacts your psychological and emotional states. Notice how it can prevent you from becoming overly stressed, overwhelmed by your emotions, or jumbled and stuck in your thought processing.
Your Immune System
When you are fit, it helps your whole system run better. This includes your immune system.
The healthline article “Does Exercise Boost Immunity?” states: “It turns out regular physical activity does play a role in keeping you healthy and preventing illnesses.”
This doesn’t mean that you’ll never get sick, of course. But it does mean that you’re putting yourself in the best position to fight off illness. Also, on the occasions when you do get sick, your body will be better able to get you back to health. This means having a better chance of reducing the amount of time you’re sick, as well as the intensity of the symptoms.
So take stock: give yourself some kudos for lowering your risk of infection and preventing illness, as well as your ability to rebound from illness.
It’s Never Too Late to Participate in Preventative Care
If you aren’t in the state of fitness that you’d like to be in, let this be your motivation! Consider all the ways that you can avoid poor health outcomes, or improve from where you are right now.
No matter your age or your current state of health, you can move toward a more fit tomorrow. Depending on where you’re at, you may want or need to consult your physician. Wherever and however you start, you can make a noticeable difference over time.
The preventative power of fitness is great. Take stock. Gives thanks. Keep moving.
Comments