Remember that I'm using the Wheel of Wellness to help visualize health in life:
It's been almost a month since I've gone through an aspect of the Wheel of Wellness, so if you need a little refresher, click here. We are currently in the middle of Life Task 2: Self Direction, and today we will be moving on towards the subtask of Exercise.
Myers & Sweeney define the subtask of Exercise the following way:
| Leading an active rather than sedentary lifestyle, exercising 20-30 minutes three times a week, stretching regularly. |
Myers and Sweeney state the following in regards to exercise: "Regular physical activity, or exercise, is essential in the prevention of disease and enhancement of health and is important for healthy aging. The benefits of exercise for physical and psychological well-being have been clearly established. Exercise increases strength as well as self-confidence and self-esteem. In addition, there is a significant correlation between physical fitness and improved emotionality as well as cognitive functioning. Exercise training has been shown to significantly decrease state-trait anxiety scores, decrease mild depression, reduce stress, and beneficially affect a variety of chronic illnesses" (Counseling for wellness, p. 24).
Sounds like a pretty good deal, doesn't it? Our physical and mental health is so interwoven that changes in one will affect changes in the other. Our ability to manage our stress and avoid physical disease is greatly dependent on our physical health, yet so many people today have chosen to not view this as an important component of their health. Exercise is certainly a difficult and time consuming component of our daily health, but it is also incredibly important as well. It's very difficult to function well in life or have healthy relationships without our physical health. Of course one can also go out of balance the other direction as well, and get too consumed by this. Remember that health in each of these areas is about BALANCE. Remember that exercise isn't ALL OR NOTHING. While it's ideal to get 30 minutes, if you can only squeeze in 15 minutes in a day, it's better then doing nothing!
Now that I've set the ground work for physical health and exercise, the next few weeks will be spent discussing this subtask of health.
Now it's your turn:
What's one of the biggest benefits of exercise in your own life? What's your favorite website to help keep you motivated and on track with exercise in your life?
I exercise every day before work and take time on the weekends to work out. While I wish I was more active, I am always on the lookout for new opportunities. I love healthy living blogs and read them everyday. I also like Runners World magazine. I started running a couple of years ago, and have done a few 5K and 5 mile races. That magazine keeps me motivated to get out and move.
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