Brains over brawn
I am not a gym rat. By no means am I busting at the seam with muscles and don’t even get me started on cardio. A good day in the gym for me is getting through my arms workout without dropping a ten-pound weight on my foot. Nevertheless, I have come to greatly enjoy the gym which is something I still say with surprise at times. I have played sports most of my life and have always been a moderately active person, but two years ago you would have had to drag me kicking and screaming to the gym. Now, I couldn’t feel more different, all because of one chance: I shifted my reasoning for going to work out.
Between the unattainable beauty standards plastered all over social media and the heartless body shamers, it can be difficult to be comfortable in our own skin. For this reason, a lot of people rush to the gym in hopes of sculpting themselves into the “perfect” specimen. While there is nothing wrong with being proud of the gain you make at the gym, it can be disappointing if you don’t witness the changes you were hoping to enact. A lot of people end up quitting because the work is too hard for such little reward. I was one of those people. Three different times in my life I have tried, and failed, to make attending the gym a habit.
Now, however, I am proud to announce that on my fourth attempt I have so far been successful. I have been regularly attending the gym since the beginning of the semester and this was all possible because of a change in my mindset. Instead of going to change my outward appearance, I decided to focus on what was within. Yes, the secret is out, I have written yet another article centered around mental health. But, I am being serious when I say that having this goal has changed my life.
Working out releases specific chemicals in the brain that increase happiness and improve relaxation. While you likely won’t be suddenly overcome by a euphoric feeling of glee, you will likely notice an improvement in your mood. Additionally, there is a great sense of accomplishment that comes with completing even a 20-minute workout. Unlike body changes, these feelings are reliable and immediate. As humans we are hardwired to desire immediate gratification and shifting focus to these mental gains will provide that instant gratification. Plus, it reduces the pressure of feeling like you have to see physical changes in yourself to be successful.
As I mentioned earlier, I know that this strategy is not for everyone. Some people really value the changes their bodies undergo from going to the gym. But if this is not something that matters greatly to you, or is much too overwhelming to tackle, focusing on the mental gains that come from working out can be a great alternative. So next time you decide to go to the gym do not compare yourself to everyone else there. Just put on some music and relax a little. Then when you are done, take a moment to appreciate what you have accomplished and how you feel. You do not have to push your body to its limit to find this feeling, which is the true beauty of working out for mental gains.