Exercise Your Brain!

So let's be honest, when you hear the word “exercise” you think it's to break a sweat and to lose a couple pounds. It keeps you in shape and good for the ticker, right? But what about exercise for your brain?? How important is exercise and our mental health? Over the years, I have come to learn that the more I help my body, the more I am helping my mind. 

When I was growing up, fitness was about self image. Now over time, being a mom and wife and trying to fit multiple jobs in my day, I have come to realize how important my exercise routine is, not only for myself, but for my family. The days that this Mom doesn’t get her workout in, watch out! I became aware of how I actually felt and how I dealt with my daily life when I wasn’t physically active. I was grumpy, short tempered and yes so tired. When I’m not mentally happy it takes a toll on my home, my environment, my job…..my entire life. I feel at times people feel guilty if they take time out of their busy life to fit exercise in. Please don’t. I will tell you it is one of the most important things you can do for yourself and the people you love. Once you make exercise a priority in your life, I can guarantee everything seems to be a bit more clear in so many aspects.

Regular physical activity boosts your mood, reduces stress, lowers depression and anxiety, helps you relax and in turn sleep better. Most of us are aware of how physical activity reduces the risk of illnesses and to help you lose weight.

When you start to exercise the flow of oxygen increases to your brain. It also increases the amount of endorphins, the “feel good” chemical to your brain. The link between exercise and your mood is pretty strong. I often tell my participants in my class to praise themselves for showing up to a workout. It’s usually one of those things we put on the bottom of our to do list since we have such busy lives. Then I tell my clients to remember when we complete a workout to take note on how they feel. It’s amazing how happy we feel after a good workout. Which always keeps me reminded of a great quote: “The only bad workout is the one that didn’t happen.” 

I want people to know that you don't have to run a marathon to reap all the amazing benefits exercise can give to you. Just move…even for 20 minutes! I have had a lot of people say to me, well exercise is easy for you since you're a fitness instructor and you do it all the time. Trust me, I struggle like any other human when it comes to exercise. There have been days, especially this past year, where I was broken. I wasn’t sure how I was going to teach my classes. But what made me stronger? What was the best therapy I could give my mind and body? Yes. Movement. Exercise has the power to change your life. Never underestimate it.

Exercise is one of your best friends and you should hang out everyday!

Lyndsay Syverson

SoulBody SQUAD Instructor + Partner Relations + Ambassador