Moving your body regularly can take your mind off of any worries or fears. For instance, yoga is a very mindful practice (as should any form of exercise be!). This means that it’s hard to focus on anything else when you’re trying to pay attention to where your body is in space, as well as moving with your breath.
The same goes for any intense activity. It’s tricky to focus on anything else when you’re trying to perform 10 or so burpees. It’s also encouraged, during weightlifting or strength training, to actually focus on the muscle you’re contracting, as this can activate more muscle fibers during the movement itself.
The takeaway here? Everyone should be performing regular exercise. In fact, when we’re in good shape, the body is more resilient to stress as there is less inflammation interfering with our body’s regular processes.
THE IMPORTANCE OF ENCOURAGING OUR YOUTH TO PERFORM REGULAR EXERCISE: IT’S ALL ABOUT RESILIENCE!
Whether it’s stress regarding an upcoming exam or overwhelm due to life in general, it’s safe to say that the next generation has more stress than ever before. Society tends to emphasize the importance of a “doing” and a “go-go-go” attitude, which can cause varying degrees of pressure on a young person’s psyche.
However, there’s tons of research supporting regular exercise for lowering stress. In fact, I’ve seen many gyms incorporate youth orientation programs to get individuals started early in life when it comes to developing a regular exercise routine (which is so great!). This also leads to the likelihood of gym memberships down the line.
But how exactly does exercise reduce stress?
Most of us know that exercise releases feel-good chemicals called endorphins. Endorphins are powerful! They can actually block the nerve signals associated with pain, which may lower overall perceived stress. They also tend to promote feelings of calm and happiness, which is why we often feel better after a solid workout.
This is why it’s recommended to “take a walk” when you’re feeling particularly overwhelmed. Even a quick and brisk walk around the block can help your body pump out those endorphins, helping you cope better and come back to the task at hand with a better mindset.
Moving your body also actively lowers cortisol, the stress hormone. Interestingly, intense exercise can actually, at first, increase the stress hormones but then quickly lowers them soon after the workout. After a brisk walk, as well, the stress hormones are reduced afterward.
Yet, other forms of exercise, like yoga and Pilates, can actually reduce the stress hormone during the activity. This is primarily because we focus on controlled and deep breathing, which dampens the stress response.
In young adults, especially, exercise should be encouraged so that they can develop resilience and healthy coping mechanisms that will last a lifetime! It will also help them avoid detrimental health issues down the road.
What does your fitness studio do to encourage the young adults in your community to develop healthy exercise routines?
Let’s talk about stress.
Whether it’s stress regarding an upcoming exam or overwhelm due to life in general, it’s safe to say that the next generation has more stress than ever before. Society tends to emphasize the importance of a “doing” and a “go-go-go” attitude, which can cause varying degrees of pressure on a young person’s psyche.
However, there’s tons of research supporting regular exercise for lowering stress. In fact, I’ve seen many gyms incorporate youth orientation programs to get individuals started early in life when it comes to developing a regular exercise routine (which is so great!). This also leads to the likelihood of gym memberships down the line. But how exactly does regular fitness reduce stress levels? Let’s take a closer look.
Most of us know that exercise releases feel-good chemicals called endorphins. Endorphins are powerful! They can actually block the nerve signals associated with pain, which may lower overall perceived stress. They also tend to promote feelings of calm and happiness, which is why we often feel better after a solid workout.
This is why it’s recommended to “take a walk” when you’re feeling particularly overwhelmed. Even a quick and brisk walk around the block can help your body pump out those endorphins, helping you cope better and come back to the task at hand with a better mindset.
Moving your body also actively lowers cortisol, the stress hormone. Interestingly, intense exercise can actually, at first, increase the stress hormones but then quickly lowers them soon after the workout. After a brisk walk, as well, the stress hormones are reduced afterward.
Yet, other forms of exercise, like yoga and Pilates, can actually reduce the stress hormone during the activity. This is primarily because we focus on controlled and deep breathing, which dampens the stress response.
On top of the physiological aspects regarding how exercise reduces stress, moving your body can also take your mind off of any worries or fears. For instance, yoga is a very mindful practice (as should any form of exercise be!). This means that it’s hard to focus on anything else when you’re trying to pay attention to where your body is in space, as well as moving with your breath.
The same goes for any intense activity. It’s tricky to focus on anything else when you’re trying to perform 10 or so burpees. It’s also encouraged, during weightlifting or strength training, to actually focus on the muscle you’re contracting, as this can activate more muscle fibers during the movement itself.
So, the takeaway here? Everyone should be performing regular exercise. In fact, when we’re in good shape, the body is more resilient to stress as there is less inflammation interfering with our body’s regular processes.
In young adults, exercise should be encouraged so that they can develop resilience and healthy coping mechanisms that will last a lifetime.
A balanced life is a healthy and happy life.
I was learned a long time ago to plan my day around my workout. This guarantees scheduled movement during my busy days. In fact, I started this habit over 30 years ago and have continued it ever since. It’s literally programmed in my mind and body to live and work this way.
Working in a fast-paced environment, those of us in the fitness industry are undeniably susceptible to stress (in reality, any business owner is!). Yet, exercise can offer not only a physical health boost but also a way to reduce stress and stay level-headed.
And there are many ways to encourage this in your working environment!
At the corporate office of Family Fitness Centers (now 24 Hour Fitness), we had a program where you could actually win rewards for exercising. This led many of us to develop regular exercise habits that many of us still perform to this day.
You could also create challenges amongst your staff. Who can do the most push-ups in a month? Who can beat their own personal bests with their lifts?
There are so many benefits to encouraging your staff and co-workers to stay active! I can’t encourage this enough. So, how do you keep your business (and co-workers or staff) physically active? How do you walk the walk and talk the talk?
When I opened Stacy Justin Advertising 15 years ago, I knew it was programmed in me to work 100% to build a new business. I also knew I needed to plan movement and balance into my life. The first week I opened, my friend invited me to my first yoga class. I kind of thought to myself, “I’m not that interested as I get my exercise with weights and cardio. I don’t really need yoga!” But I figured I’d give it a try.
And it wasn’t just any yoga class. This was an intense hot yoga 60-minute class.
I remember the instructor saying, “This is your practice. No judgements.” I immediately felt comfortable and stopped comparing myself to others. And surprisingly, I kept going back (and I’ve improved!). 15 years later, I’m still going to the same 4:30 pm yoga class in addition to strength training and running.
I find yoga offers a peaceful practice where I can clear my mind and detox my body. It adds balance into my life, something that I think many business owners lack.
Yoga also has benefits including:
✔ Providing mental clarity
✔ Producing a state of calm
✔ Decreasing stress
✔ Reducing pain
✔ Improving flexibility and strength
✔ Creating a greater mind-body connection
Since that first yoga class, I’ve been to five different yoga retreats. It’s just become a part of who I am. And for any fitness industry business owner that listens, I’ll go on and on about the benefits of this age-old practice!
So, how do you fit balance into your life? Do you schedule your workouts so that you can get the most out of your business?
A balanced life is a healthy and happy life.
I learned a long time ago to plan my day around my workout. This guarantees scheduled movement during my busy days. In fact, I started this habit over 30 years ago and have continued it ever since. It’s literally programmed in my mind and body to live and work this way.
So, I wanted to take a minute (or two!) to go over why this is a good idea and why every business owner should consider working and living this way.
Research shows how exercise improves cognitive function and performance. More specifically, exercise can improve strategic planning, attention to detail, problem-solving, verbal reasoning, and working memory. It’s also thought to prevent neurodegeneration, including that which can contribute to dementia.
All of this is to say that moving primes the mind to work efficiently and effectively. In turn, you can show up as your best self and truly give your business your all.
I’m a firm believer in leading by example in all areas of my life, especially when it comes to
health. If you’re telling people to live a healthy life, but you’re not in shape yourself, it can create various misalignments. Not only that, but you’re not taking care of yourself in the best way possible, which can lead to a decline in your decision-making and problem-solving processes.
Thus, in this industry, we need to first take care of ourselves and lead by example with proper exercise, nutrition, sleep, and community. We are so lucky to have the resources and knowledge available to us to do so, but also unlucky in the fact that this industry is fast-moving and leaves little time to exercise (Back to my above point here: Plan your day around intentionally movement!).
IHRSA reports have shown how many individuals participated in exercise throughout the pandemic to cope with stress. This comes as no surprise since we know exercise releases endorphins, which help us feel good and help combat stress. Research further shows how regular exercise is associated with increased emotional resilience when it comes to acute stress.
Working in a fast-paced environment, those of us in the fitness industry are undeniably susceptible to stress (in reality, any business owner is!). Yet, exercise can offer not only a physical health boost but also a way to reduce stress and stay level-headed.
And there are many ways to encourage this in your working environment! At the corporate office of Family Fitness Centers (now 24 Hour Fitness), we had a program where you could actually win rewards for exercising. This led many of us to develop regular exercise habits that many of us still perform to this day.
Do you exercise regularly? How do you fit it into your busy day in this ever-changing fitness industry?
I don’t just market and advertise within the exercise and fitness industry. I actually live and breathe the lifestyle too. Countless studies indicate that regular exercise has the potential to extend longevity (and also improve the overall quality of life in those later years!).
With that in mind, I wanted to offer a few tricks and tips I’ve learned over the years when it comes to building regular exercise habits. Here are some things I’ve learned:
Lastly, remind yourself that this isn’t just about getting fit or looking fit. Exercise is about looking after yourself and your physical and mental health. It can add years to your life! Who doesn’t want that?
Exercise is the magic pill we all want and crave. And this is why I’m so passionate about it—and about helping fitness organizations help others lead fulfilling and long-lasting lives.
So, let’s take a moment and appreciate exercise for all it is. Instead of approaching physical activity as another “chore” or “to-do,” let’s be grateful we have the opportunity to move our bodies and proactively improve our health and longevity. How does exercise extend our lives?
Research indicates that regular exercise can help lower the risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, and cancer. With heart disease and cancer at the top of the list of the leading causes of death, this should be motivation alone to get that exercise habit going.
On top of this, countless other studies also demonstrate a significant reduction in depression symptoms with the incorporation of exercise. In other words, physical activity enhances our longevity and also enhances our quality of life.
Then, there’s the never-ending list of other benefits that exercise offers, such as improved respiratory and cardiovascular function, increased muscle mass (translating into better metabolic health and easy weight maintenance), improved bone health, and improved function and movement for performing daily activities or tasks.
Do you make exercise a daily habit? How?
I don’t just market and advertise within the exercise and fitness industry. I actually live and breathe the lifestyle too. Countless studies indicate that regular exercise has the potential to extend longevity (and also improve the overall quality of life in those later years!).
Exercise is the magic pill we all want and crave. And this is why I’m so passionate about it—and about helping fitness organizations help others lead fulfilling and long-lasting lives.
So, let’s take a moment and appreciate exercise for all it is. Instead of approaching physical activity as another “chore” or “to-do,” let’s be grateful we have the opportunity to move our bodies and proactively improve our health and longevity. How does exercise extend our lives? What can we focus on to make exercise a habit (like brushing our teeth) instead of a chore?
Research indicates that regular exercise can help lower the risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, and cancer. With heart disease and cancer at the top of the list of the leading causes of death, this should be motivation alone to get that exercise habit going.
On top of this, countless other studies also demonstrate a significant reduction in depression symptoms with the incorporation of exercise. In other words, physical activity enhances our longevity and also enhances our quality of life.
Then, there’s the never-ending list of other benefits that exercise offers, such as improved respiratory and cardiovascular function, increased muscle mass (translating into better metabolic health and easy weight maintenance), improved bone health, and improved function and movement for performing daily activities or tasks.
While I could go on about all of these benefits, it’s also important to note that exercise alone isn’t the answer to good health. A balanced, healthy, and whole foods diet is the other half of the equation, giving way to optimal health and well-being.
So now that we’ve got the benefits out of the way, I wanted to offer a few tricks and tips I’ve learned over the years when it comes to building regular exercise habits. Here are some things I’ve learned:
Lastly, remind yourself that this isn’t just about getting fit or looking fit. Exercise is about looking after yourself and your physical and mental health. It can add years to your life! Who doesn’t want that?
