Move Your Body Throughout the Day to Keep Blood Flowing to Your Brain and Increase Mental Toughness
Exercise is excellent for your short-term and long-term physical health. Get your body moving to reduce your anxiety, depression, and stress. This is a great coping skill because it builds confidence and self-worth by changing your neural pathways in your brain and increases your mental toughness.
There are many ways to exercise. Pick an activity that you enjoy.
The best way to get started is to get started. Go easy on yourself by setting goals that are achievable. You can always make these goals more difficult as you progress.
Exercise increases resilience. Part of nurturing your body is exercise, which also strengthens your mental capacity and mental toughness. When you exercise, you’re training your brain to respond to stress in a new way.
Benefits of Exercise for Mental Toughness
The first thing we think of when we think of exercise is how it affects the body. It helps with weight management, muscular health, and body functioning. Exercise also reduces risk of heart attack and lowers high blood pressure.
Physical activity is important to maintain throughout your life. It helps with health risks that come with getting older and it ensures good health long-term.
There are physical benefits galore. What really makes an impact, though, is what goes on inside your brain when you make exercise a regular part of your life.
Consider these benefits of exercise:
- Exercise acts as a natural antidepressant. If you’re struggling with depression, exercising can help relieve the depression and give you energy to take care of the things you need to take care of. If you’re not currently depressed, exercise will help decrease your risk of falling into a depressive state.
- Exercise eases anxiety. It naturally calms the brain and builds new, positive neural pathways. Be mindful while you exercise. How does your body feel? Where can you relax? What are the sounds you hear? By paying attention to the details of your moment, you’re benefiting from mindfulness and easing anxiety.
- Exercise builds resilience by providing an excellent outlet for stress. When life is chaotic and out of control, you can participate in exercise and begin to feel better, even if for an hour. Exercising consistently reduces overall stress and helps you handle stressful situations more effectively.
- Exercise releases pent up energy. By moving your body and appreciating what it can do, you’re clearing out negative emotions and allowing new ones to come in. While you’re exercising, it’s easier to put some distance between you and your struggles.
- Exercise helps you cope. You can allow yourself to feel proud of what your body can do. You can feel proud of your hard work and your progress. Giving yourself that positive attention will help you build your relationship with yourself.
- Exercise increases confidence and self-worth. This occurs not only because your body is getting healthier, but also because your brain is, too. Your brain is yours to nurture and care for. A great way to do that is by getting your body moving.
Ways to Exercise
There are many paths to a healthy exercise routine that works for you. When people mention exercise, it’s easy to imagine a gym or running shoes. If that doesn’t sound like the right mode of exercise for you, there are many other forms of exercise that you can utilize to improve your well-being and resilience skills.
Try these ideas:
- Think about outdoor activities other than running. Going on a nice walk is a great way to get in some mindfulness while moving your body. You can also go on a hike, go surfing, go parasailing, or partake in your favorite outdoor activity. Writing on a topic of interest to you could be gratifying. You could even go fly a kite on a windy day.
- Try something you’ve never tried before. It may seem intimidating but taking up a new hobby is a great way to expand your horizons. Going with a friend can be a fun memory, and taking a new class is a great way to meet others. Try rock climbing, surfing, dancing, or whatever activity interests you.
- Join a team sport. We’re never too old for recreational sports. Whether you like tennis, soccer, or Frisbee, there’s a team for it that will be happy to have you. If you’re just beginning, don’t worry. Joining a team is a great way to strengthen skills because they provide accountability and encouragement.
- Exercise in your own home. Jump on a trampoline for 15 minutes in the morning to get a great start on your day. Use a stand-up desk and balance board while you work at your desk. Take a dance break, listening to your favorite music and dancing with lightheartedness and fun.
- Exercise indoors. Sometimes, it’s too hot or cold outside to do an activity that requires being outside for too long. During inclement weather, swim at an indoor pool, take a yoga class, or do Pilates.
In case you’ve just found this post on moving your body each day to keep blood flowing to your brain and need a refresher on the 8 skills you need to live your life with inner strength and mental toughness, here they are:
- Develop your understanding of resilience and mental toughness
- Enhance your emotional regulation skills so you are in control
- Take full responsibility for your situation to grow exponentially
- Build a solid and supportive community of like-minded individuals
- Practice gratitude and forgiveness for yourself and others in your life
- Strengthen your relationship with yourself with your morning routine
- Move your body throughout each day to keep blood flowing to your brain
- Challenge yourself regularly with new skills and projects
I’m bestselling author, marketing strategist, and entrepreneur Connie Ragen Green and I would love to connect further with you to help you to achieve your goals. If you are interested in learning how to optimize the syndication of your content, please take a look at my popular Syndication Optimization training course and consider coming aboard to increase your visibility, credibility, and profitability. I’m here to serve you!
Alan Hanks says
Thanks a lot for sharing such a great piece of article! I found it a good helpful write-up with a good sound and explanation. Here I have seen some valuable ideas that are definitely helpful for every health-conscious person. Please keep sharing more updates!
Connie Ragen Green says
Thanks for stopping by, Alan. I appreciate your thoughtful comment. ~ Connie Ragen Green