I always wondered why some of the most disciplined and successful people I look up to seem to have an unshakeable desire to improve their physical fitness.
At first I thought successful people just prioritize their physical health.
Although..maybe it’s that sticking to a strict exercise routine cultivates discipline and focus, which makes it easier to work more effectively and consistently.
Or maybe physical fitness neurochemically primes our brains to think more fluidly and be more productive?
It turns out that regular exercise does all of these things, and so much more.
It’s so simple, so incredibly effective at improving our lives, and anyone can participate in some form or another. Did I mention there’s a million ways to do it?
The best part about it: It’s you vs you.
It literally doesn’t matter where you’re at today, because you’re only trying to beat who you were yesterday.
If you’ve let yourself slip recently, today’s the day you get back on the horse.
If you don’t have a fitness routine at all, today’s the day you start.
“Your body can stand almost anything. It’s your mind that you have to convince.”
- David Goggins
Move More, Think Better
We’ve all heard that physical activity is associated with better physical and mental health.
It protects against and alleviates chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, hypertension, obesity, depression, osteoporosis, and so much more. It’s even been shown to protect against cognitive impairment, including Alzheimers.
But if this isn’t enough to get you moving, there’s an increasing body of evidence that shows that exercise can have just as significant of an impact on our mental performance.
This 2019 study (meta-meta-analysis..?) aggregated over 35 meta-analysis and 41 systematic reviews related to the link between physical activity and brain outcomes.
The conclusion? A clear positive association between physical activity and better brain functioning.
The effects of exercise on our mental performance seem ubiquitous, from academic achievement to memory, executive function, processing speed, and various neuropsychological tests.
Still not convinced?
Engaging in physical activity also stimulates the growth of new brain cells.
Exercise = big brain move.
Be Happier
Okay, but wait.
Exercise doesn’t just protect us from disease and help our brains function better.
It literally makes us happier.
A recent 2020 study took 2300 participants across all age groups and placed them into different categories based on physical activity.
After controlling for demographics, the results were clear.
All 3 age groups—young, middle-aged, and elderly—that engaged in more physical activity reported higher levels of life satisfaction and happiness.
Okay…yeah, that’s not a drastically huge sample size, and it is just one study.
But these researchers definitely aren’t alone in their conclusions.
This meta-analysis took 15 different studies and altogether concluded that physical fitness was associated with increased happiness across all demographics against every single measure of subjective happiness.
The authors suggest that physical fitness may improve happiness by increasing self-esteem, reducing stress, improving mood, promoting social interaction, and providing a sense of accomplishment.
They also note that the benefits of physical fitness for happiness may be greater for people who are initially less fit.
So if you’re not getting much exercise these days, I have some really good news for you. You have a ton to gain.
I could keep going, but you’re capable of a quick google search, and shoving science down people’s throats only does so much.
With that said, I** **do think it’s important to understand what awaits for all of us on the other side of a consistent exercise habit.
Apply it in your life
I know that it’s intimidating to start. It’s just as difficult to stay consistent.
And honestly, simply being aware of the massive benefits of something sometimes isn’t enough to get us to do it.
After a decade of ups and downs in my fitness journey I know firsthand that no matter of how much you know you should be exercising, life always gets in the way one way or another.
What if I told you that the key is not to try and overcome this fact, but to lean into it.
You know that life will always try and get in your way, whether that’s an unexpected event, a mental block, a bad day, or simply because you don’t feel like it.
This is where you start. It’s also the final boss.
Acknowledge this, focus on building your fitness routine around this premise, and soon you’ll have an unstoppable launchpad for growth.
🌱📈
This was originally published on my weekly newsletter Circadian Growth