Exercise & Esteem

Exercise greatly enhances a person's self-esteem and mental outlook while reducing stress. Self-esteem is a critical component of any self-improvement program. A close relationship has been documented between low self-esteem and such problems as violence, alcoholism, drug abuse, eating disorders, school dropouts, teenage pregnancy, suicide, and low academic achievement.

Maintaining some form of physical activity, beyond ones every day cycle, helps reduce anxiety while building emotional strength. How? One theory is that endorphins, a chemical, the pituitary gland produces during vigorous exercise improves ones mood. Regular exercise also decreases the risk for chronic health conditions such as heart disease and cancer, and there seems to be a connection between these illnesses and depression.

It should never bother someone to take the relatively minor steps necessary to improve their own health. Especially when doing so can only upgrade that persons self-esteem along the way. Even people in their nineties who have not been active for many years can strengthen bones, muscle, heart and lung capacity when they start and maintain a steady exercise program. The goal is to increase your activity and as little as 20 minutes, three times per week can help your health. Just remember to ask your doctor before starting an exercise program. 

Remember oxygen is the key to life. How well one performs during periods of exercise in full depends upon their oxygen intake. The only way physical recuperation can be achieved is after oxygen has reached the blood stream. This is why it is paramount to breathe properly. Always breathe through the nose and not through the mouth. 

Health concerns:
If you've had a heart attack, or other heart problems, chances are that you would benefit from regular exercise, and you can probably safely start an exercise program right in your own home, if your doctor says it is okay for you to do so. 

Be certain to warm up and stretch before you start any exercise as well as stretch and cool down when you're finished. Done properly stretching can prevent injuries such as strains, sprains and shin splints; while increasing the range of motion in the joints and increasing blood circulation. Hold stretches. Bouncing is not beneficial, and may even be harmful. Overstretching can cause injury, so if you're stretching to the point where you feel pain, stop. The neck, shoulders, trunk, hips, leg and groin muscles all benefit from stretching. Sudden over zealousness can lead to harmful excess. Do not overdo it. A little bit of tightness is expected, but pain is another story altogether. If you begin to feel pain in your joints or your muscles, give yourself days of rest until the pain goes away. If pain continues, or if your legs or feet become cool or pale, see your doctor. 

A 2002 study by The National Academy of Health showed teens were five times more likely to engage in overuse of alcohol, drugs and crime than were those who were already committed to a regular schedule of exercise. 

Exercise is also very effective against major depressive disorders. If, however, you take medication for depression and you're interested in finding out whether exercise would benefit you, talk with your doctor. Never stop taking prescription medicine or start an exercising program without talking with your doctor first.

At first, exercising will be hard, but after a while, your body will get used to it and will turn into a habit and part of your life. After you see the benefits of exercising, you will need it like you need food and you need air. It will become part of you.