Back to Basics: Holistic Benefits of Exercise

Let’s talk about non-body-focused benefits of regular exercise. So much of what we see on social media as it pertains to exercise is a focus on the physical outcome or how it can change a body’s appearance. What’s a more helpful approach for a lifetime of feeling good around exercise is focusing on how it affects your well-being on functional, social, and emotional levels. These lists could go on, but here are a few amazing benefits per category:

FUNCTIONAL WELL-BEING

*have more energy

*increase endurance

*increase confidence 

*be more alert

SOCIAL WELL-BEING

*set an example about making healthy choices

*be around longer for your family

*feel happier around other people

*connect with others on their health journeys 

EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING

*feel better about yourself

*learn new ways to cope with distress

*feel like you’re taking the best possible care of yourself

*enjoy life more

[Source: Changing to Thrive, Prochaska & Prochaska]