EXERCISING YOUR IMMUNE: WHY EXERCISE?
Let’s begin with the psychological benefits. My experience with patients, confirmed by other studies, is that regular exercisers tend to have a more positive outlook on life. Regular exercise improves your health, and healthy people are generally happier people. People who exercise have the great satisfaction of knowing that they’re working hard to strengthen their health; they have the discipline, energy and motivation to stick to their exercise program.
As we’ve seen, these positive feelings are mirrored by health-giving changes in body chemistry. Thus the pride, self-esteem and satisfaction that one derives from exercise goes a long way toward boosting one’s «doctor within.»
«I go out there and walk 30 minutes every day!» a patient will proudly announce.» Or, «For the first time since I was a kid, I can easily touch my toes!» Some tell me that they can finally see their toes again now that they’ve lost a lot of weight. I’ve seen many poor self-images go way up as people prove to themselves that they can accomplish something worthwhile. This is especially true for the unhappy and depressed among us.
Unfortunately, millions of Americans are unhappy, with symptoms ranging from a simple indifference to enjoyment all the way to full-blown depression. Many studies have shown that one of the best, and simplest, treatments for depression is regular exercise.
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