February 7, 2010

Self Improvement Through Physical Activity And Behavior Modification

Inactivity and poor eating habits lead to physical illness and depression. So reverse this statement and you get: Activity and good eating habits lead to good physical condition and happiness. If your goal is to improve your health and to stop being depressed about your life; increasing your activity level can help achieve your goal. Have you ever heard the saying: Continue to do the same things and you will continue to receive the same results. If you want different results : improvements, you will need to modify your behavior and do different things to achieve different results.

Physical Activity for self improvements

Physical activity improves your health. Anytime you make a change in your physical activity level as in starting a new exercise program; it is a good idea to check with your physician first, especially if you have chronic illnesses or are over 60 years of age. Once you have the ok from your doctor, take a deep breath and get moving! Whether your self improvement goal is to trim your waistline, or shed some pounds; increasing your activity level even just a little, gets you started and with a little bit of motivation and encouragement you will continue to improve and to achieve higher levels of activity over time. Physical activity will cause your body to produce endorphins, which are chemicals that make you feel happy. Being physically active can also help you achieve better sleep. Once you see results from your increased physical activity, you won't be able to help yourself : you will feel good about yourself. Therefore physical activity can improve self-esteem which helps those who suffer from depression.

Here are some activities to choose from:

Stand while talking on the phone instead of sitting.

Take the stairs instead of the elevator.

Walk short distances instead of driving.

Jumping rope is fun and can be done in your home (outside or inside)

When you find yourself in a waiting room, don't just sit there, walk around.

There are lots of opportunities to walk: 1.during your lunch break : walk around your building

2.if you take the bus to work, get off a block or two before your usual stop and walk the rest of the way

3.if you are in a situation where you are in an office and you need to speak with someone, instead of picking up the phone to call them, walk to their office instead

Invite a friend to so an activity together (bowling, tennis, volleyball, jogging)

Behavior Modification

Change is usually not easy; so let your goal motivate you. Make sure that your goal is very visible throughout your day. Make a goal list, cut out a magazine picture of your goal, or draw your own picture of your goal and put it in the following places:

1.Tape it to the corner of your bathroom mirror

2.Tape it to your bedroom wall next to the door

3.Tape it to your refrigerator or next to your coffeemaker

4.Put it in your briefcase

5.Tape it to a corner of your computer monitor

Get the idea? Make your goal very visible so that you will be reminded about why you are making the changes whether those changes are physical ones or behavior ones they will involve making changes in your behavior. Say the change you need to achieve is a change in eating habits. You will need to change your behavior towards food and how and why you eat. If the change involves a relationship, you will need to modify how you perceive someone or how you behave towards someone (being more tolerant or understanding for example)

Improving oneself through physical activity or by behavior modification requires understand why you need to do so and dedication to achieving your goal. Physical activity can improve not only your physical appearance but your emotional state as well.