Peace of Mind
“Peace of Mind means a healthy body…” Proverbs 14:30
This passage of the Bible stood out to me today as I studied. Before the science of psychology was a thought, the Bible spoke about how our mind affects our body. If you look at all the studies done you will find how the mind and body affect each other. Doctor’s say that physical exercise releases something called endorphins which act as neurotransmitters through the body increasing energy and giving us a “Natural High”. These endorphins are also known to increase happiness. According to studies at Duke University 60% of a group they studied with depression, whom exercised 30 minutes 3 times a week, overcame their depression without any medication.
On the flip side of that. I know in my experience when I am down in the dumps I don’t feel like exercising. I don’t want to get out and go anywhere. I just want to wallow in my pain. Depression isn’t the only problem either, there are issues with anxiety, emotional blockage and yes even spiritual issues that can hinder our lives from moving forward. All of these issues with the mind affect us physically. Anxiety and depression make our bodies sick, weak and susceptible to disease by weakening our immune system. Spiritual issues left unchecked can cause emotional grief and lead to anxieties.
When our minds are at peace, when we are happier we are healthier. Our immune system gets a boost when we are happy and anxiety free. Understanding how this works, if exercise can increase mental health and peace of mind why do we debate the issue? Exercise not only improves physical health but mental health. Let us break out of the deception of not doing what we don’t feel like but do what we know helps us.
Exercise is a great way to keep a positive feeling as it gives you a sense of accomplishment.
That’s interesting. I like to walk, and maybe that has something to do with the fact that depression has never seemed to be an issue for me. On the other hand, many of the members of a family I know have a fear of leaving the house. Being cooped up all the time, they don’t get much exercise, and there’s more than one case of mental illness in that family. Maybe there’s a connection there.
I totally agree that sometimes when we least want to exercise it will be the thing that will help us the most. I once read something along the lines of – “if you don’t feel like working out do it – you will be glad that you did.” I always keep this in my mind on days when I really can’t be bothered and I AM always glad when i make myself exercise!
Great to read about this subject thanks!
i agree with mike says Exercise is best way to keep a positive feeling
Hey man, great story from what I’ve read so far. Loosing over 60 pounds is a tough thing to do. So far, I’ve lost a little over 30 on my own journey, going from 210 to 176. When I first started working out, I was recovering from some stupid choices and worse mistakes, and I can honestly say working out saved my mindset. It makes you feel SO much better, and makes you so much more confident in yourself. I’m a total endorphin addict. I began running and I’d always lifted weights off and on so I hit that again. Now, I spend probably 10-12 hours a week doing some sort of physical exercise on a rigid schedule I came up with myself, I’m training two friends of mine who are trying to lose weight, and am about to start training another. It’s amazing to be able to share your knowledge and your experiences to help other people. Which, is why I just started my own blog: dedicatedfitness.blogspot.com. I hope to first share basic fitness anatomy and physiology, then go into my workout philosophy and my own experiences and lessons. If you get a chance check it out would you? I’d really appreciate getting some more traffic!
I meant to say thirty pounds… Typos are the devil. Hah!
I have been exercising on a pretty regular basis since I was 13 years old(I’m 52 now), and it’s now a part of my routine and my life. The thing I wonder is, am I somewhat addicted to exercise? I know that if I would stop completely, it would probably send me into a depression. But that’s not going to happen, and I really feel sorry for those who don’t enjoy exercise because they will never understand how great it feels. Does anyone else feel that way, or is it just me?
Well said. You are right, depression and anxiety can lead to health problems. If I find myself really down or stressed, I can end up with a cold. I think God gave us exercise, and the release of endorphins, as way to combat the pain and depression that we may have in our lives. Good post!