How Regular Exercise Instills These 4 Virtues

About the Author

The Short Advice was created to help people deal with the uncertainties of life, and the challenges they present. They aim to empower people with the ability to ‘earn their own happiness’ by accepting responsibility for their emotions, and committing to goals. Every week, a new article is posted that relates to self-help and personal development. They also offer a free and anonymous ‘friendly stranger’ advice service, and have developed a signature ‘Road to Success’ Goal Map on their store. Today, they’ve prepared an exclusive guest post that explores the role of regular exercise as part of the holistic wellness approach.

Regular Exercise and Holistic Wellness

Engaging in regular exercise has benefits that transcend physical gains. But sometimes, we put too great an emphasis on how we want to look, rather than how we want to feel. So, try setting yourself a goal that relates to how exercise should make you feel, and what it will allow you to do. It’s okay to set aesthetic goals, but try not to make it your sole motivating factor. This holistic approach to health and wellness will be the seed of change that drives positivity into your life, and allows you to start ‘earning’ your own happiness. The verb to earn, implies that the process will be challenging, and that the outcomes are valuable… This highlights the principle of balance. Below, we’ll discuss how the challenge of regular exercise can enrich our lives through the development of some of life’s most important virtues.

How Regular Exercise Instills Important Virtues

Whilst there are countless lessons to be learnt by engaging in regular exercise, we’ve picked four considerably important ones to discuss. Through the development of respect, self-esteem, discipline and resilience, one can begin to achieve balance. And a well-balanced life is a happy one. The lessons that we teach ourselves through exercise, hold us in good stead when facing the challenges of everyday life. They also help us work towards achieving our goals, whether financial, academic, physical or otherwise. So how can regular exercise help us to achieve a heightened understanding of life’s most important virtues? Lets start by discussing the most important one…

Respect

Respect is the single most important virtue that everybody needs to practice. Without it, you cannot have love or trust. A degree of respect might be given, but true respect must be earned. Before you can have the respect of others, you need to have self-respect. Every time you engage in your routine, you are proving your worth by using the ability you have been blessed with. You are showing respect to yourself, and to the universe that created you. You are showing respect to the process, and to others who are working hard. Don’t underestimate the power of respect, it is the birthplace of all virtues.

Self-Esteem

Your self-worth and confidence isn’t based on your perception of appearances, but your acceptance of appearances. It’s about being grateful for everything you’ve been given, rather than focusing on whatever shortcomings may be outside of your control. After all, focusing on all of the things you don’t have would be disrespectful to all those who have less than you. So, accept what you’ve been given, and use it to create the best version of yourself by engaging in regular exercise. Through this regular practice, you will build confidence and self-esteem.

Discipline

Goal-setting is not the only consideration for achieving success. There should be systems in place that allow you to achieve your goals. By implementing a plan that requires regular exercise, you are developing a level of discipline that will translate to other areas of your life. The discipline to save money, build your business, or train for a marathon. An appreciation for the importance of discipline is necessary in order to achieve balance, and therefore, happiness. Exercising even when you don’t feel like it is a great way to start building discipline.

Resilience

Resilience in the military is developed by using a number of strategies that place people outside of their comfort zones. The number one strategy? Rigorous physical training. This is a practical strategy that applies to everyday people too. By placing yourself in a situation of relative adversity, you will be creating a metaphor for many of life’s struggles. You are teaching yourself to respond with a can-do attitude. You’re proving that even when you feel like you can’t, you still can. So, throw yourself outside of your comfort zone, and practice your resilience by engaging in a regular exercise plan.

Final Note

Exercise can create metaphors for many of life’s most challenging obstacles. By setting exercise goals, and implementing a regular exercise plan, you are giving yourself the best chance at achieving success in your chosen field. We’ve only just scraped the surface of the benefits of regular exercise, so get planning today! If you’re looking for more information on how to get started, contact someone who can help you put a plan in place… Perhaps Sasha Layton? Good luck ;).