My name is Alexandra Merisoiu. I remember when I had many exams and was studying hours and hours, sometimes late into the night. You might say that’s not a struggle and not an obstacle. Not as adults have, no. As adults, we would say that we only forget how difficult it was when we were there. I was there not long ago, and I remember the pressure I felt at that moment in my life and how important it was for me to succeed after all the work I put into it.
I also remember my mother asking me to go to my karate class. I didn’t want to because I had so much work, but my mum insisted that a tense mind wouldn’t be productive.
So, I reluctantly took a few good hours out of my evenings, sometimes 3-4 hours, when travelling to my karate classes.
The reality is that after training, I would have more energy, a clearer mind, and a spring in my step. I would learn, memorise, and analyse (whatever I needed to do) more quickly and easily. I would finish the amount of work I usually did in a couple of hours, maybe even 4 hours. I would also get better grades because physical exercise made my mind and body more relaxed, fit, and strong.
This is an example from my student years. But make no mistake: Even today, when I take long walks and go for a run or Karate training, I am much more productive when I come back with a clear mind, ready to make the necessary decisions for my business and life.
Exercise, whether indoors, outdoors or in the form of sports, will:
- Reduce stress.
- Alleviate symptoms of depression. As an exercise referral instructor, I work with people who suffer from depression and one of the best ways to alleviate symptoms is exercising.
- Boost happiness by releasing the “feel-good hormones”—the most popular of which are endorphins, dopamine, and serotonin.
- Reduce aches and pains throughout the body. Exercise is challenging when you do it, but afterwards, you feel marvellous. And over time, it gets even better.
- Reduces the risks of certain health conditions. According to the NHS, these include:
- up to a 35% lower risk of coronary heart disease and stroke, up to a 50% lower risk of type 2 diabetes
- up to a 30% lower risk of depression
- a 30% lower risk of early death
- up to a 20% lower risk of breast cancer
- up to a 50% lower risk of colon cancer, and more…
Look, the truth is your body was designed to move. Why do you think you have so many joints and muscles? They’re not for decoration. You were born and designed to move.
And when you don’t, systems fall out of place. No, your toes won’t fall off. I mean the three systems or reactions in your body at all times: physical, mental and chemical.
Once one system is imbalanced, it will also create imbalances in other systems. And this is true for mental and physical processes.
Let’s take a mild foot injury, for example. There are two immediate actions you can take when you experience a foot injury:
- Keep walking
- Stay in bed and be inactive
Consequences
- If you keep active, running and walking, you will inevitably compensate. You will use the healthier side of the body more. However, the body is designed so that each component has its job, and taking the job of another element for too long will lead to overuse and wear.
- Being inactive weakens your body and keeps you in an unhealthy loop. Once you lose momentum, it’s challenging to regain it.
The same goes for mental processes. Stress is the cause of many health conditions, besides physical tension, which leads to generally negative and unhealthy feelings.
How are you supposed to be at your best if you are not in your best shape, mentally and physically?
The reality is that exercise and sports will keep you sane in this chaotic world (quote me on that) and help you have a more precise, sharper mind and way of thinking.
With a clear mind and less stress and worries, one can more effectively overcome obstacles and struggles in life.
What type of exercise should you do?
You can practice karate, rock climbing, cross-country skiing, and whatever you like. Walking is probably the easiest way to meditate and contemplate. So is running. Additionally, getting a massage can be a highly effective way to relax and release tension, providing both physical and mental benefits.
But if you don’t have time and the equipment, walk home from work to the supermarket, and walk everywhere. “I don’t have time” is not an excuse. Many people who don’t have a care make the time.
This is not the topic of this article. However, I will leave you with this: we all have the same 24 hours a day, and you make time for the things that matter most in your life.
