In my previous article, I mentioned a few benefits that occur to one from working out and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
However, I wanted to focus on one specific thing I left out because I felt it deserves a full article.
Since Covid-19 has taken over our lives, we have been challenged with adjusting and adapting to different circumstances, and cases of stress, anxiety, and depression have increased since the corona outbreak. With things changing fast, work, kids, and life in general things can get very stressful.
For those of us that keep Shabbat, that may be the only time of the week for rest!
In fact, most of the time we don’t even realize how busy we are until we are bombarded with something that makes us stop, think, and reflect. For a moment, we stop everything we are doing to take a break from our daily routine.
Sometimes, taking a break is all that we need to work more efficiently.
Although it may feel like taking a break wastes time, that is not always true. Being productive doesn’t mean working all the time, but rather progressing consistently.
Moreover, exercising regularly can have a profoundly positive impact on depression, anxiety, and ADHD. It relieves stress, improves memory, helps you sleep better, and boosts your overall mood.
Studies show that exercise can treat mild to moderate depression as effectively as antidepressant medication—but without the side effects.
Exercise is a powerful depression fighter for several reasons. Firstly, it promotes all kinds of changes in the brain, including neural growth, reduced inflammation, and new activity patterns that promote feelings of calmness and well-being. Also, it releases endorphins, powerful chemicals in your brain, that energize your spirits and make you feel good.
While you exercise, you are most likely to forget or won’t prioritize the problems and challenges in your life, which therefore reduces stress levels.
Lastly, and most importantly, I want to emphasize that ensuring your children engage in physical activities, or outdoor play time is essential to their growth, development, and behavior. The more energy they release in physical activity, the less energy they need to waste reprimanding them.
With love & health,
Yael Rodriguez
CPT & a Health coach