Exercise is Good for the Mind and Soul - 3 To Start Today

Now what about exercise? Exercise is essential for the mind and soul. The benefits are endless but to name a few: it boosts your mood, your self-esteem; it reduces stress, improves sleep, and increases greater sexual satisfaction. Okay, so if there’s at least one reason to want to get healthier – let it be the last one! ;)

Today's focus is to implement small short workouts into your day. Don't worry, we have provided a variation of exercises to fill your 20-minutes.

You're welcome to do one for 20 minutes or all! You choose what's best for you based on how you're feeling today. It could be that this morning you are super energized and filled with uplifting thoughts (since you're not complaining ;)

Exercise is good for the mind and soul

In a synopsis on “Exercise, Fitness and Mental Health” (1990), sports psychologist D.R. Brown summarized the possible beneficial effects that exercise has on mental health. These include the following:

• Exercise may act as a temporary diversion to daily stresses.

• Exercise provides an opportunity for social interaction that may otherwise be lacking in an individual’s life.

• Exercise provides an opportunity for self-mastery. Increasing fitness or improving body composition and other health parameters may improve an individual’s self-esteem.

• Increased core temperature during exercise may lead to reduced muscle tension or alterations to brain neurotransmitters.

• Mood improvements may occur due to the increased secretion of endogenous (internal) opiates e.g. endorphins

• Psychological changes may occur due to alterations in all hormones which can affect mood and anxiety level.

So let's get started:

Option 1:

A 20-minute mindful walk.

Option 2:

Let's get our squats on! 3 sets of 25 squats (google the proper way to perform a squat). Add arm weights if you're feeling more advanced or up for the challenge.

Option 3:

25 Stand-up wall push-ups (google the proper way to do a standing push-up)

P.S. These exercises can be done anywhere. The idea is to get moving if only for 20 minutes. Recently, I have been doing standing wall push-ups in my kitchen while making my coffee ☺

No excuses my friend!

With Love & Kindness,

Justin & Leah

Leah Scott & Justin Andrade founded Upgrade Your Joy. A program that educates you how to bring more joy in your relationship through small daily actions. They live in Carlsbad, CA. and are enjoying life one day at a time while educating others to do the same.

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