What if our bodies did not change in appearance? Would we still engage in physical activity in the same way?
Some time ago, I remember having a conversation with my brother about why some people find it so difficult to engage in physical activity. As a sports psychologist, I could clearly see the cognitive benefits of exercise, but my brother claimed that people only exercise to change their appearance. This bothered me, and after the recent pandemic, I thought this had changed a bit when it became somehow common to see people arguing how beneficial exercise was to their mental health.
Engaging in regular physical activities offers a myriad of benefits for both physical and mental well-being. From a physical standpoint, exercise helps maintain a healthy weight, enhances cardiovascular health, and boosts muscular strength and flexibility. It plays a pivotal role in preventing various health conditions, such as heart disease and diabetes. Beyond the physical advantages, regular physical activity positively influences mental health by reducing stress and anxiety levels. The release of endorphins during exercise contributes to an improved mood and a heightened sense of well-being. Additionally, physical activities are crucial for promoting quality sleep, sharpening concentration, and fostering overall mental alertness. In essence, incorporating regular physical activities into one’s routine is a cornerstone for achieving a balanced and healthy lifestyle, addressing both the physical and mental dimensions of well-being.
Nevertheless, we start the year 2024 worried about some drug abuse aimed at helping people to lose weight quickly, e.g. Ozempic. It became famous due to an active ingredient that induces satiety, which makes people suppress appetite, having weight loss and the production of insulin as its most desired consequences. This would be a great scientific achievement if not for its alarming amount of prescriptions. Little by little I know someone who takes it and suddenly the attention to physical activities and diets are no longer necessary.
I feel like I’m back in that conversation I had with my brother 15 years ago. Regardless of how people feel better by exercising, it seems that it’s all about the easy and aesthetic way. When we engage in physical activities just to lose weight or reduce some blood taxes, we will easily rely more on drugs than on habits. The saddest part of choosing drugs over changing our habits is that we are telling our bodies that we don’t believe in ourselves. We are telling ourselves that we are no longer capable of making a strong daily commitment to our own lives.
