Life can be hectic… Trust us. As business owners, we get it! Between work, kids, running a household, studying, trying to keep a social life, and every other thing that life loves to throw your way, it’s enough to make you want to go and lay on a beach somewhere. But is that actually what we need to make us feel better and less stressed?
The majority of our stress is mental, not physical. It might seem obvious, because stress is always associated with the mind, but why then do we always turn to physically resting, when it’s our brains that actually need the break? Our exhaustion is really from sitting at a desk all day, constantly dealing with little stressors, driving home in traffic, catching up with friends, helping kids with homework, and doing life admin. Our minds can burn out, even though our bodies haven’t really moved much at all. So while it goes against the narrative of what we’ve been told our whole lives, the best way to combat mental fatigue is to get physical.
Here are 7 reasons why:
1. Movement is a stress buster
When you are stressed, your body naturally tenses. This can manifest in all kinds of symptoms like shoulder and neck pain, jaw clenching, internal dysfunction, headaches, insomnia, the list goes on. Exercise is the best way to break this vicious cycle between the body and mind. As well as releasing endorphins, exercise naturally relaxes the tension by stretching out and getting blood and oxygen moving around your muscles.
2. Improve your memory and cognition
The same endorphins released while exercising will also help you sharpen your concentration. Exercise stimulates the growth of new brain cells and helps with memory function.
3. Get more energy
You gotta expend energy to get energy! The more physical you are on a regular basis, the more energy you will have. Increasing your heart rate in the morning is a really good way to get the blood pumping around your body and to your brain, and rid you of the sluggish feeling that can only normally be fixed with coffee!
4. Refocus your mind
When you’re exercising, your mind tends to shift to what you are doing, how it makes you feel, where in your body you can feel it, and how you are executing the movement. Even if it feels like you’re increasing stress by only being able to think about how sore your legs are on a massive hill, this is a great way to shift your concentration temporarily and give your mental state a break. This, in turn, increases clarity.
5. Longer and better quality sleep
When we are under mental and emotional stress, it often disrupts our sleep. When we are sleep deprived, it creates extra stress. It is a vicious cycle and one often underestimated when it comes to mental and emotional stability. Exercise is proven to regulate sleep patterns and get better quality sleep, so use it to break the cycle!
6. Prevent cognitive decline
As we get older, our brains get a little hazy, but that doesn’t mean we have to accept defeat now! Degenerative diseases like Alzheimers can kill off brain cells, but exercise has been proven to boost the chemicals in the brain that support and prevent degeneration of the hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for memory and learning. So if you want to remain sharp and capable (both physically and mentally) into the future, movement is one of the best ways to do so.
7. Boost your self confidence
Regardless of your weight, shape, or size, the happy chemicals that are released when you exercise undoubtedly lift your mood, allowing more space in your mind for self-confidence. Plus, if you stay consistent with your movement, you’ll notice physical improvements like being able to walk further or be less breathless on a hill. Hitting these little goals is always a great mood booster.
If you can combine exercise, fresh air, and some vitamin D, this is one of the best proven combinations of all time for a mental health boost and stress destruction! Exercising outdoors is the most beneficial. Rain, hail, or shine, getting fresh air into your lungs and natural light will do wonders for your mood. So forget lazing on the beach for now; come on an adventure with us and watch the positive changes happen!
Check out our adventures HERE
