Three exercise tips to better your
mental and physical well-being
Physical and mental wellness are equally important
and often intertwined, given many people take
part in activities that simultaneously enhance both
categories of health. However, the everyday demands of
life paired with challenges during the pandemic have
caused people to de-prioritize their physical and mental
well-being.
“There is a symbiotic relationship between mental
and physical wellness,” said Dr. Richard Carmona, 17th
Surgeon General of the United States. “Supporting both
critical aspects of health is equally important but can
be diffi cult, specifi cally during stressful times like the
current pandemic. It’s extremely important for people
to look for alternative ways to focus on both body and
mind and take active steps toward the pursuit of overall
wellness.”
A recent national study by Planet Fitness demonstrates
the pandemic’s negative impact toward mental and physical
health. Three out of four Americans (77%) reported
that at least one aspect of their overall health and wellbeing
had been negatively impacted by the pandemic.
A whopping 56% (nearly 138 million Americans) said
they haven’t made their mental wellness a priority in
the past year while the same percent of the population
admit they feel stress and anxiety more than ever before.
But fortunately, there is a light at the end of the tunnel,
with 92% of Americans whose mental wellness has been
impacted by the pandemic reporting they are doing at
least one thing to improve it.
While these are concerning results, the great news is
the vast majority of Americans are looking to improve
their current condition as the pandemic has shed a spotlight
on the importance of fi tness. Staying active is going
to help get everyone on the right path and feeling great
about themselves both physically and mentally while
also reducing stress. Also when you perform physical
exercise, your brain releases a chemical called dopamine,
commonly referred to as the “feel good” chemical
because of its ability to contribute to your sense of happiness
and positive mental disposition.
Planet Fitness’ Head of Health and Fitness Excellence,
Teddy Savage, recommends three ways to enhance an
existing physical exercise regimen or simply include as
part of a new one, which all are designed to better your
mental and physical well-being:
1) A stimulated mind is a happy one
Variety is the spice of life and that can be tricky when
stuck at home. To keep your mind engaged and your
body active, try infusing fun out-of-the-box elements into
PHOTO COURTESY OF BPT
your normal fi tness routine. That could mean downloading
a fi tness app chock full of exercises, walking in a
new neighborhood park or, once you’re able, joining a
gym and kick-starting a new fi tness adventure with free
guidance from a certifi ed trainer.
2) Slow and steady wins the race at the
gym
It’s best to start slow and fi nish strong when exercising,
especially with weights or resistance machines.
Going light will still allow you to add positive stress
to the muscles, while providing the chance to really
perfect the form and mechanics of each exercise. This
will ultimately create a better environment for muscle
growth without causing too much stress on the body.
3) Rest “actively”
Incorporate what is called “active rest” during your
cardio or between weightlifting sets. For example, if
you’re on the treadmill jogging on an incline, decrease
the incline or slow to a fast walk to catch your breath
before speeding back up again. Doing so rather than
stopping altogether keeps your body working and blood
fl owing as well as ensuring faster recovery for muscles.
Courtesy BPT
20 June 17, 2021 Schneps Media