Have you ever heard the saying, “Look good, feel good”? There is some major truth to this statement. When you feel good about your body and appearance, you exude a certain level of confidence. Boosted self-esteem is only one of the many benefits of regular exercise. Other benefits include improving your overall health, weight loss, decreased risk of heart disease and other cardiovascular conditions, and an improved mood.
So why exactly does exercise boost confidence? Read on to find out.
What is Physical Confidence?
To understand why physical activity promotes confidence you must understand what exactly that means. Self-confidence is the balance between what we believe and what we set out to do. Once you achieve what it is you believe you can and should; your confidence levels boost automatically.You have successfully validated your beliefs and achieved something great.
Physical confidence means proving to yourself that your physical body is strong and capable. The only way to truly achieve this level of confidence is to push your body outside of its comfort zone to achieve great things. Your body is often much more capable than your mind believes it to be. This is where the phrase “mind over matter” comes from. Your body will only go where your mind pushes it and your mind will give up long before your physical body ever does. You are capable of more than you believe.
Aside from pushing yourself past your physical limitations, the actual act of exercise and physical activity can boost your confidence. Here’s how.
Releases Endorphins
Happiness is a big part of feeling confident and endorphins in your body are what elicit feelings of happiness. Did you know that your body releases endorphins during exercise? These chemicals, known as endorphins, react with receptors in your brain. This reaction helps to reduce your perception of pain, as well as elicit feelings of positivity and relaxation. The effects of endorphins on the body have actually been compared to the same feelings elicited by morphine.
These feelings of positivity directly influence your mood. Following exercise, you’ll feel more energized and positive. You’ve also accomplished something, which helps you feel productive and capable. All of these emotions are linked to your self-esteem. If you try a new workout, run a little farther or faster than last week or bump up your weights, you’re proving to yourself that you are capable of doing hard things. You’re proving to your mind what your body can do and this is a major confidence booster.
Helps You Lose Weight
It’s no secret that weight loss is directly linked to self-confidence. When you are at a healthy weight it means your clothes fit better and you feel more comfortable in your own skin. In order to lose weight you need to pair a healthy diet with regular exercise. It’s recommended that you are physically active for at least 30 minutes per day. But in addition to regular activity for overall health, exercise to lose weight or build muscle is usually slightly more intense and frequent. But studies show that just three hours a week of moderate to intense exercise, paired with a low-calorie diet, can lead to weight loss.
Depending on your physical capabilities, start out slow. Simply taking a brisk walk each day is a great form of cardiovascular exercise. Park your car farther away when you visit the grocery store or opt for stairs versus the elevator. Even these small changes in your daily routine can start you on the path to performing regular, more intense exercise. Weight loss often makes people feel more attractive. It even helps to improve your level of intimacy with your partner.
Staying Healthy Boosts Confidence
No one likes feeling sick. When you’re sick you feel tired, cranky, and unlike your normal self. If you aren’t feeling good, how can you possibly feel confident? Sometimes, sick individuals will actually isolate themselves from others. If they are unable or unwilling to go outside or interact with others, they begin feeling lonely and depressed. In order to stay healthy and stay out of the doctor’s office, regular exercise is a must.
Regular exercise offers a long list of health benefits outside of just weight loss. Here are just a few.
- Improves balance and reduces the risk of falls
- Reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes
- Strengthens your bones and muscles
- Reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease
- Reduces the risk of some cancers
By performing regular physical activity you can ward off some major health issues which could leave you feeling weak, depressed, and inadequate.
Stress Relief
Exercise is great for reducing stress and stress can lead to a long list of medical conditions including Alzheimer’s Disease, asthma, gastrointestinal issues, and heart disease, just to name a few. In order to ward off stress, its important to incorporate regular exercise into your daily routine.
Stress often stems from negative thoughts and exercise helps to replace these negative thoughts with positive ones. When you’re performing a certain exercise, your mind is distracted. You’re focused on the movements, your breathing, and the task at hand. This focus helps to draw your mind away from the negative thoughts you might be having, in turn, reducing your stress levels.
Depending on the type of exercise you choose, performing the activity itself might help to release tension and anxiety. Activities include yoga, kickboxing, and running. These exercises naturally reduce your stress levels, which help keep you healthy and confident. You can do various things to improve your mental health.
Consistency
We are, by nature, creatures of habit. Most of us like to know what’s coming next. Predictability is a form of security and makes us feel safe in the world. Exercise acts as this anchor in our lives. Having a set routine and exercise schedule in place can help you feel more productive throughout the day, boosting your confidence. If you know that each morning before work you go for a run, this is something you can rely on. It’s predictable. If you attend the gym everyday at the same time, you can schedule other responsibilities and obligations around your workout. This develops a consistent routine that you can depend on. When we feel safe and comfortable, we also feel confident.
You Are in Control
It’s important to remember that you are in control of your own life. If you’re feeling less than confident in your current situation, you have the power to change in. Incorporating regular exercise into your day is the perfect place to start. It will help release endorphins, shed a few pounds, and feel like a productive member of society.
Article Submitted By Community Writer
