Alright, I'm gonna take a little break from
The Four Agreements thing and talk about exercising, because it has really been helping me lately!
You've
probably heard that exercising is a great way to de-stress, which is true, but
there's more to it than that. One of the first things doctors ask their
patients who come in seeking anti-depressants is if they've tried other things
such as meditation or exercise.
Repressing a high amount of stress can be
detrimental to your long-term mental health. Why? It wears down the connections
between nerve cells in your brain, making you more susceptible to anxiety and
depression, and affecting your memory and ability to take in new information.
Exercising, however, allows you to take that energy and put it toward something
that is beneficial to
your physical health. It’s also great for your mental health because it stimulates
the production of endorphins.
Endorphins
are powerful little things. They function as neurotransmitters in your brain,
produced by the pituitary gland during excitement, pain, orgasms, love,
consumption of spicy food and—you guessed it—exercise. The effect of endorphins
is similar to that of opiates because they’re your body’s natural painkillers
and bring about a feeling of wellbeing and happiness. Ever heard of “runner’s
high”?
So next time you’re feeling down or just
stressed out, get your butt up and head to the gym, or better yet—make it a
routine.
