Mens sana in corpore sano … How many times have we heard or said this phrase that has existed for centuries. Its literal translation is “A healthy mind in a healthy body” and it appears for the first time in one of the satirical poems written by the Roman author Decimus Junius Juvenal, between the 1st and 2nd centuries AD.
'Orandum est ut sit mens sana in corpore sana' (We should pray for a healthy mind in a healthy body)
We have to go back to the 19th century to see how this expression began to become widespread and took on the meaning we know it by today. Its use spread to publicize the modern gymnastics of the time, leaving behind its religious connection.
This relationship between a healthy mind and body is more relevant than ever. They need each other and must live in a perfect symbiosis, a biological and vital interaction that allows us to achieve balance and, why not, the happiness that we so desire.
In all of this, exercise plays a fundamental role, since it provides us, both physically and mentally, with everything we need to stay healthy, productive at work, and vital in all facets of our lives. Physical activity is also very helpful in improving our learning.
Let's first review what is most obvious, the impact that physical activity has on our body.
Benefits of physical exercise for our body:
Strengthens our muscles
Improves our body posture
Keeps our weight in check
It gives us greater flexibility and agility
But if it is easy to understand that physical activity kick-starts our metabolism and improves our fitness, the mechanisms that are developed and that impact our mood and our abilities are just as important, or even more so.
Medical experts such as the eminent doctor and professor of psychiatry at Harvard University JOHN J. RATEY have dedicated their careers to demonstrating that physical exercise helps learning Hyperlink http://johnratey.typepad.com/
" It is no exaggeration to say that regular exercise improves physiological list of colombia cell phone numbers functions and brain performance. It is truly a wonder medicine" John Ratey.
d:
Increases our ability to concentrate
Learning aid
Minimize stress levels
Increase our motivation
We are in a better mood
Improve our interpersonal relationships
And why is all this? Who is responsible for all these benefits of physical exercise?
When we get going, our body starts to generate a series of hormones that are responsible for providing us with so much energy, happiness and good memory. The 4 main ones are:
Serotonin : It influences our mood and is released when we do physical exercise, especially outdoors. It provides a feeling of calm that helps us to ward off depression and improve sleep. It also helps regulate our diet, avoiding eating more than necessary.
Dopamine : This hormone allows us to experience pleasure after a session of physical activity. It is what makes us want to repeat it and “hooks” us to continued exercise.
Endorphins: These are the most well-known among the general public and make us feel happy and joyful. They are also a natural painkiller, which reduces the feeling of pain as well as anxiety and stress.
Norepinephrine: This is a chemical messenger of the brain whose function is focused on the modulation of learning and memory.
Where to start without it costing you anything?
Now that you know the benefits and who is in charge of this, you may be wondering how you manage to make that pending task, always in the top 5 of good resolutions for the New Year, birthdays, change of season, etc., become a reality.
Here are 5 foolproof tips to help you get started right away:
Choose an activity that you like. To motivate yourself, it is essential that what you are going to do is fun and that it is an activity that fits with what you like.
Better with friends. You can surely convince someone to join you and take advantage of the opportunity to share that time of exercise with a friend. This will help you not to miss the appointment, out of self-love or just because it is an excuse to see your friends more.
Make it a routine. Doing this activity on the same days and at the same time is recommended so that it becomes a regular occurrence. Make sure you choose your schedule well and that the days you plan to do it are the ones you actually have the most free time on a regular basis.
Accompany it with a healthy diet. Nutrition is another important factor for keeping the body and mind awake and fit, something that is also essential in any learning process.
Don't throw in the towel. Lastly, and as a maxim for almost everything in life, don't give up at the first opportunity, analyze what is failing and find a solution. Try and you will surely find a way, what is at stake is worth it.
Are you already exercising and enjoying its benefits? Any advice for newbies? If you're not yet a member of the active body club, put these tips into practice and enjoy the benefits.
Healthy mens infographic