Science can prove that exercise lessens symptoms of anxiety and depression in many people, but even if you don’t suffer from anxiety or depression, exercise can improve the way you feel about you by improving your self esteem. If you find yourself feeling down after comparing yourself to others on social media, television, or air-brushed magazine covers, a good workout might help you appreciate yourself more.
Image
How much exercise do you need to improve your self esteem? According to research done by the Cleveland Clinic, as little as thirty minutes of physical activity each day can increase your self esteem. The key to success is consistency and sticking to your plan. By scheduling your workouts at the beginning of each week and ensuring that the workouts happen, you build consistency and improve your self esteem with minimal effort.
Mental exercise also improves your self esteem. Exercise classes like yoga, tai chi and meditation improve your mental health where the root of your low self esteem may live. These exercises lower tension, promote mental well being, and reduce the stress hormone cortisol giving you both mental and physical benefits associated with the practices. If you’re new to any of these forms of exercise, FitClub offers classes to get you started!
Exercising for the right reasons improves your self esteem. That you’ve chosen to start or continue exercising is a reason to be proud of yourself, but too often, people start an exercise routine as a form of punishment. Viewing exercise as a form of punishment or using it to achieve an unrealistic goal is counterproductive and may actually be holding you back from making progress, mentally and physically. Exercising because you want to achieve realistic goals and live a longer, healthier lifestyle is key. If you’re having trouble focusing on the positives of exercise, setting reasonable, achievable goals, building consistency, and using a journal to track your progress can help change your mind about why you exercise.
Do what makes you happy. If you hate running, you’ll never love exercise and you’ll struggle to reap the mental benefits that come from consistently doing a workout you love. FitClub has too many options available to consistently punish yourself with options that don’t feel good to your body. If you’re not sure what exercise feels good to you both mentally and physically, working with a personal trainer, experimenting with group exercise classes, and continuously mixing up your workout can help you find the workout that you most enjoy.
Keep the comparisons personal. Comparing your starting point to someone else’s progress will only complicate your relationship with yourself. Your only point of comparison should be where you were yesterday, last week, or last month. Keeping a journal, tracking your workouts, and being mindful of increased energy levels will keep you motivated to stay on track.
Do you think exercise helps your self esteem? What exercise makes you feel your best?
