If our health is important to us, we need to exercise. Photo / 123rf
NOTICE
In our vast world of cultural differences, there is one thing we all share equally: the wealth of knowledge gained through medical research, scientific testing and academic study. No matter the nation
or the country we call home; we all benefit from this knowledge. This brings us to a topic that has no strangers, our health.
The numbers don’t lie and neither do the scientific results. Ongoing research and testing continues to support certain claims… One of them is: There is, without a doubt, a definite and close relationship between physical movement/exercise and our physical body.
The results don’t lie, those who value their health and exercise regularly are healthier and stronger than those who don’t. This health and strength is also not limited to the physical muscles, but extends deeper within us to our very core.
If our health is important to us, we need to exercise.
The wasted days of exercising just for looks are a thing of the past. The same movements that work to improve our physical body have proven their positive influence in other areas as well. Physical activity/exercise is now considered mental and spiritual conditioning as well as physical conditioning. It must be embraced and accepted as an integral part of everyone’s physical, mental and emotional/spiritual practice/arsenal.
Because exercise connects our brains and hearts and helps silence our “talkative mind”, it’s a great time for inner reflection. In addition to actively meditating, it can’t be beat as a tool for quieting the mind and clearing the way for higher connection.
Once our “mental chatter” has been stopped, clarity takes over and we can focus on what really matters. We make smarter decisions, identify issues, and address issues faster. Our diet automatically benefits as we naturally begin to shift to foods that contribute to our health rather than taking them away.
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Physical activity strengthens the soul and soothes the mind by –
Reduce and release harmful stress hormones
Improve heart rate and build resilience to stressors
Release inner pressure and activate energy centers
Decrease damaging inflammation in the body
Stimulate happy endorphins and encourage an optimistic state of mind. Exercise activates a multitude of positive hormones. These hormones in turn help keep our mindset positive and upbeat.
Focus on the present moment. When our mind becomes fully engaged in the moment (which exercise helps us achieve), we shift to a calmer, more restful state of being because peace is only found in the moment.
We can strengthen and intensify our spiritual connection by adding some tactics below.
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Listening to soothing music or encouraging podcasts while exercising or simply enjoying the sounds of nature around us helps transform our physical exercise routine into a deeper spiritual routine.
Focusing on our breath also allows us to boost our spiritual experience. Breathing is an important part of any exercise. For example, it helps us execute – gain strength for lifts and other movements. Just as the brain can be inducted into a meditative state using breathing techniques, focusing on our breath during exercise helps remove fog from our mind, allowing us to connect with a higher power.
Repeating positive mantras in our mind as we practice our routines such as “I am healthy and strong” or “My health is my priority”. It’s what empowers us, eventually settles in our minds (over negative thoughts) and strengthens our spiritual muscle even more.
The time we spend exercising is also the perfect time to consciously reflect and be grateful for all the blessings in our lives. Expressing gratitude and appreciation puts us in a positive and uplifting frequency. When we are enveloped in outer circumstances/drama, we often become blind to what is important and fail to embrace and recognize the greatest blessings in our lives. The people, circumstances and stories we tell. No matter what, gratitude matters.
Physical activity and exercise help build inner strength and willpower because it takes discipline to stay the course in the face of life’s difficult temptations. A strong inner muscle can mean the difference between “staying on the path” or “wandering aimlessly in the desert” when the next challenge comes your way, and exercise is a powerful force for developing that strong will.
Beyond the visible, outward results we all experience and appreciate when exercising, it’s obvious and very clear that our inner selves also get a major lift. We cannot lift one part of ourselves without lifting the rest and exercise is the only thing that gives us the opportunity to train our body, heart and soul at the same time.
It shapes and tones our body, makes us tingle and feel happier inside and out (gotta love those “happy hormones”) and better overall.
Our spiritual connection is deeper, our mental clarity is sharper, and our body is stronger and healthier. We feel super energized and alive, with a real sense of inner and outer well-being.
It seems the key to growing spiritually, mentally, and physically is as close as our exercise routine or gym membership. This is how powerful exercise/physical activity is.
Carolyn Hansen is co-owner of Anytime Fitness