Many of us have grown up believing that the body we have isn’t perfect. But guess what?
Many people seem to forget that the images on most social media sites are edited in one way or another. The colors are slightly more saturated than they would be in real life, the lighting has been adjusted, and the faces have been airbrushed so much that they barely look human anymore.
So, if you’ve ever found yourself sitting in bed, scrolling through Instagram or Facebook, feeling envious of everyone’s perfectly healthy lives, it’s time to reevaluate your perspective.
Here’s all you need to know about healthy living:
Defining Healthy
Healthy is not a number on the scale or a size in a clothing store. It’s living your best life and loving yourself no matter what. When you are healthy, you can do things that make you happy, like going for a walk with friends, enrolling in a pilates class, or playing with your kids in the backyard. Remember that healthy people are more likely to be happy, productive, and have a higher quality of life.
So, next time you’re feeling down about how your body looks, remember not every fit body is a healthy one, and vice versa.
Why Should Health Be Your Focus, And Not Weight?
Most people focus on weight because it’s an easy thing to measure, but it doesn’t show the whole picture. You can have someone who has great health at 300 lbs or someone who isn’t as healthy at 140 lbs.
Weight can also fluctuate based on things like muscle mass and water content in the body, so focusing on that alone can be misleading and cause people to feel discouraged when they put in effort towards their health, like enrolling in yoga classes and don’t see results.
Some easy steps to focus on good mental and physical health include:
- Eating a balanced diet and getting enough sleep, about eight hours a day.
- Exercising four times a week for 45 minutes at a time.
- Finding fun ways to exercise you enjoy, like taking up tennis or joining the social dance class
- Drinking lots of water to stay hydrated
- Cutting back on sugar and processed foods
What Is The Role Of Endorphins In The Body?
We’re sure you’ve heard about endorphins before—but do you know exactly what they are?
Endorphins are neurotransmitters that your body produces on its own, and they serve to make you feel good in the same way that drugs like heroin or morphine do—without the damaging effects of addiction and substance abuse. In simpler words, endorphins are chemicals produced by the brain that has a painkilling effect.
These natural chemicals get released when we do things like exercise, take part in exciting activities, laugh a lot, or have great sex! Increased levels of endorphin production can result in feelings of euphoria and even addiction to the activity that caused the increased production.
So, if you’re looking for an endorphin rush, hit the gym and try out one of these highly recommended exercises!
1. Pilates
Enroll in a pilates class as it will help strengthen and tone your core while improving balance, posture, and flexibility. It can also relieve pain associated with lower back or hip problems. We say this because pilates is essentially a moving meditation that combines body movements and deep breathing into one exercise session.
The added benefit? It improves flexibility so you’re less likely to injure yourself during workouts or everyday activities. And did we mention it’s for everyone? Even those who are already in shape as there are various levels of classes available so you can always find one that matches your current fitness level.
2. Yoga
Yoga is one of the best exercises for your body and consists of some stretching poses that work on the whole body, like cat-cow or downward dog.
Yoga is also a great way to balance out intense workout sessions to later feel calm, centered, and ready for whatever life throws.
3. Dance
Life is too short not to have some laughs while you’re getting in shape. Engaging in physical activities like social dance classes in New York can make the time fly by. It also makes the workout go much more smoothly than forcing yourself through something you don’t like doing just because it’s good for you. The key to staying fit and healthy is finding a physical activity that suits your needs and abilities.
Remember to start by considering what activities interest you, what your schedule permits, and what your current fitness level dictates before settling on an exercise routine that will work best for you.
If you want to read more interesting information-packed blogs that help you in your health and wellness journey, head to FitEngine.
We also provide comprehensive guides and reviews on fitness classes, yoga classes, dance classes, and stretching classes in NYC, along with many other topics.
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