Freak out or work out

Perspective: 2/20/09

Whew. There’s a lot going on out there these days. For many, calling these times stressful would be a certifiable understatement. I could fill an entire page with the type of news to make your heart sink. I’m not going to. I do, however, want to spend a few moments discussing the false choice people confront when trying to factor fitness into their lives. Now especially, when we’re forced to stare more directly into the abyss of economic uncertainty, people are more apt to make stark, either/or decisions. Without a doubt, tighter margins and less wiggle room in life can send stress levels through the roof. But this is precisely the time to embrace rather than dismiss a fitness routine.

If the ultimate goal is to steer one’s self and their loved ones smoothly through life’s twists and turns, then stress management has to factor prominently into this journey. That is where exercise comes in. There is ample scientific evidence proving that exercise is responsible for the release of beneficial hormones back into the body to create homeostasis, or a systemic balance which has been thrown out of whack due to stress or other conditions. Achieving this balance can be difficult. However, once it is achieved, the ability to physically and emotionally tackle life’s challenges becomes much easier.

At the very least, times like these should convince us that there are some things we simply cannot control. So for everyone who says they don’t have the time to devote to fitness, think again. The extra 20 hours a week you spend at work aren’t going to stop the world from ending. There are 168 hours in a week. You can devote at least 3 of those hours to exercise. Start by doing a simple self evaluation to determine what types of exercise would most benefit you in the limited time you are able to commit. Most of us can use more cardiovascular activity to promote heart health and fat burning. Don’t have any home equipment? Go for a brisk walk. Don’t feel like being alone? Find a walking buddy, or get a low fee membership to a gym. Do you want increased size and strength? Start a simple weight and resistance routine. If you don’t have access to a fitness facility, you can use space at home to perform push-ups, pull-ups, squats, abdominal work and resistance training. Or, contact a local training facility to set up a program with a trainer.

By choosing to spend time improving yourself through exercise, you are naturally combating the dangers of accumulated stress while simultaneously enhancing your confidence. For those who have successfully incorporated fitness into their lives, they will swear by the results. You simply need to believe that improving yourself is a worthwhile endeavor. Hard to argue with, right?