Improved quality of life
Exercise has been linked to increased self-confidence, reduced stress and less anxiety. The authors of “Fat to Firm at Any Age” write, “Research suggests that exercise regulates mood in a variety of ways. For example, exercise seems to trigger the release of endorphins, opiate-like brain chemicals that act as a natural mood elevator, making you feel good all over.” For me, exercise is also meditative. I allow myself to get lost in the repetition of whatever cardiovascular activity I am doing: swimming, biking or running. I am able to quiet my inner thoughts, and illuminate my source of being. By focusing on the rhythm of my feet pelting the pavement, my hands gliding through the cool water, or the perfectly cyclical motion of my quads powering the bike, I can find peace. I’m not convinced that stillness is the only path to receiving the benefits of meditation, and apparently I am not alone. According to Dagny Scott, author of “Complete Book of Women’s Running,” many “women speak of running as meditation, therapy, quiet time, an outlet for emotion, a catalyst for growth, a microcosm of their bigger picture.” Somehow, life becomes easier to manage when exercise is a priority. Endurance exercise brings me back to my center, and restores my spiritual equilibrium. It leaves me content, knowing that I’ve done something for the fortification and preservation of my body.
