Sunday, December 16, 2007 Paquiao: Life is too short By Calixto S. Paquiao fitness & you
LAST Sunday, I attended the wake service for my aunt-in-law who died at the age of 74.
I was really struck by the message delivered by the minister. He said that we should value life while we are still able to do so, and to take care of it. He mentioned a passage in the Bible, from Psalm 90:3, which went this way: “The length of our days is seventy years or eighty if we have the strength.”
The Word, if we have the strength, is very clear that if we want to live our life to the fullest we must do something or find ways how we can strengthen it. In the physical point of view, the only way to strengthen our body is to develop our muscles so we can maintain our strength. Well-exercised muscles are strong, firm, well toned and shapely. A muscle that is strong can lift heavy objects without being strained. A strong muscle can let you move freely and carry your body without difficulty.
Just how exercise improves your mood and psychological health isn’t clear. We don’t know the actual mechanisms. But people feel mentally better when they exercise. They are more energized and content. If they have anxiety, anger or stress, exercise often brings them some release, or some feeling of peacefulness.
The psychological benefits of physical activity may come from changes within the brain’s own chemistry: from the increased production of serotonin and other neurotransmitters that improve communication between brain cells.
Exercise seems to create similar chemical changes in the brain.
Some studies have shown that moderately depressed people improve their mental outlook when they participate in walking, jogging and weight training programs. If you are on medication, that doesn’t mean you should toss it out and go jogging instead, but you may want to consider exercise as another therapy to help minimize feeling blue.
Long-term changes in brain chemistry take time, but you can feel more revived and charged up from just a single session of exercise. And you don’t have to run 10 kilometers or unload a ton of barbells to get this psychological high. It comes with very moderate levels of activity. Taking a brisk walk for 30 minutes to strengthen your heart muscles and 20 minutes of strength training are usually enough. Life is so short, but don’t make it shorter. Act now!
Note: The fitness center is having a Christmas promo. You may call or inquire about it at the gym.
(Coach Paquiao Holistic Pain Clinic, and Coach Paquiao Wellness and Fitness Center, JY Square Discovery Mall, Lahug, Cebu City / 234-2811)
