Exercise and mental fitness

Since childhood we are told the importance of ‘physical fitness’ –‘exercise’ coupled with diet– in life. The faster we are moving into sedentary lifestyle the more we are attracting ailments in our lives. Joan Welsh puts it right ‘A man’s health can be judged by which he takes two at a time- pills or stairs’. We all know how important exercise is for our physical well being and so I do not want to harp further on the subject. What I intend to share is the mental fitness we can reap through exercise.

I, a layabout, lean and slender, found it really tough to adopt a fitness regime. In initial days it appears a tedious, tiresome task. But of course once you start doing it becomes your habit. And so it became a part of my routine. The first change I noticed was mental freshness. After a session of exercise our body is not the same as it was before the session. The change in body is palpable- it appears more alert, with the blood running through out the body. A rejuvenated energy seems to fill every single body part and that what makes the mind calmer and happier.

Second thing it taught me was patience. I m a person, like most of the people, who crave for things to get done with the instant results. Exercising is one thing that demands the doer to go through the whole process of the changes it brings about in your body, mind and life. And to see a sea-change in your body and inner self is worth waiting for.

Third thing it taught me was to push the envelope, the urge to resist. Where I used to resist a tough task, now its ‘lets do it’. To put it more precise initially I cheated, where I was supposed to walk for atleast half an hour I would end up in 15 mins. But now apart from bodily movements in other fields as well I seek for more challenging tasks. So that’s how your body awareness makes you more confident of yourself and its lovely to hear from inside ‘I know I can do it’. In simpler words as your physical stamina increases equivalent effect is felt on mental stamina.

Fourth and the most important was to accept the way your body is. I used to get disheartened so easily when people commented on my thinness that it made me conscious of myself. I realized that through exercise not just every body part but every muscle is taken into cognizance and so you get to know yourself inside out. Now what fat people can’t do I can without any hiccup. And so I feel glad to carry off a lean body like mine. Luckily, binging on the food is the best part. May be that’s what called ‘eat, pray, love’.

Last but not the least, the golden beautiful truth. Just a session of exercise and right diet and concentrated breathing keeps you from negative, restrictive thoughts and stimulate empowered mind that’s totally under your control. Walk fit, think fit, stay fit!

Tags: Health and Fitness