Exercise for Energy

Welcome to our three part series on exercise for optimum health! We will follow up this post with information on two great exercise programs….yoga and pilates.

Are you feeling tired, lately? Just can’t seem to wake up in the morning? Feel the need for an afternoon nap? Instead of drinking coffee or soda, try a work out instead. Studies have shown exercise to be a better energizer than even prescription stimulants. Many cases from fatigue are caused by inactivity, not by too much activity. So if you’ve been feeling run down and need a jump start, try adding exercise to your daily routine.

Many people start an exercise regime and expect to feel wonderfully energized and alive the same day. Those people are sadly disappointed when they find themselves sore and dragging. After a week or two with no results, many people give up and assume it just won’t work for them. But studies have repeatedly shown that exercise boosts energy levels in a majority of people; the key is to be persistent. The first few weeks your body is just adjusting to the extra stress of working out. Once your body is used to the additional work, you’ll begin to feel the energizing effects of a good workout.

You also shouldn’t judge how much energy you have right after a workout. Most people feel fatigued right after they’re done, but feel more energized a little later. Your muscles need time to recover from the workload. If you feel extremely fatigued, or you don’t get and energy burst within an hour of working out, you’re probably pushing yourself too hard. Try doing a little less and building up to a greater workload.

Many people decide to start a workout routine, but are too tired to actually get too the gym or go for a run. If this is the case for you, monitor your energy level throughout the day. Pick a time when you generally feel most awake and try to schedule your workouts. After a few weeks, you should feel energetic enough to move your workout to a more convenient time.

Everyone has heard about the physical benefits of exercise: weight loss, improved stamina, increased lifespan, and much more. But did you know that it can have as much benefit to your mental health as well? Not only does exercise make your body work better, it makes you feel better too. These are just a few ways exercise can help you live a happier life.

Boosts your energy. A sedentary lifestyle can make you feel fatigued. When you work your muscles with regular exercise, you feel more energized and ready to face the day. Exercising also helps you have a more restful sleep and fall asleep faster. This will leave you feeling rested when you wake up in the morning. Regularly working your muscles also makes them less likely to fatigue with normal activity.

Helps relieve stress. Many people know the endorphins from exercise make you feel better and have a better outlook on life, but exercise can also provide a time for reflection; further easing a stressful life. Many of us don’t have time alone without thoughts to contemplate our problems. Some types of exercise, such as running, can provide time to think about the day and sort out problems.

Improves self esteem. After a workout, most people feel that they’ve accomplished something. This makes you feel that you’re worth something and improves how you feel about yourself. In return, feeling like you can accomplish things makes you more likely to work out again, this is one great cycle to get into.

Increased social interaction. Being social and having friends is an important part of leading a happy life. Exercise can be used to stay in touch with old friends by scheduling regular walks or runs. It can be also used to meet new friends at the gym or through sports. These kinds of activities can make you feel accepted and loved; making you feel much better.

If you’re wondering if the effects of exercise will change the way you feel, consider this: many doctors and therapists recommend exercise as part of their treatment for anxiety or depression. If exercise is powerful enough to combat depression, think what it can do to improve your life.

If you still need convincing to go out and exercise, remember that a good workout can help improve the quality of your sleep. That will make you more rested and even more energetic the next day. So, if you’re feeling sluggish, get up and get moving. You’ll be feeling better in no time.