Get Fit for Life
Getting your exercise fix from some kind of cardiovascular training will benefit more than just your heart and lungs. It is also the perfect stress buster and can bring you closer to God.
“Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith”
OK. Though I am quoting this verse slightly out of context, cardio can…
Elevate your spirits. Everyone has heard of the ‘runner’s high’. Cardiovascular exercise releases endorphins in the brain producing a feeling of euphoric happiness
Relieve stress. As well as providing a welcome mental break from the challenges of the day, your cardio workouts can be a powerful tool in battling anxiety and depression. This is especially true if you are able to exercise outdoors and connect with nature at the same time. In Japan, this is known as ‘forest bathing’ but you don’t need to immerse yourself in a whole forest of trees to receive the benefits. Your garden (if you have one) or local park will suffice.
My own personal favourite types of cardiovascular exercise are High Intensity Interval Training after weight training workouts (more on that in a future post) and walking in our local rainforest (pictured below). When alone, I often turn it into a prayer walk. Christian author and pioneer of the popular Alpha Course, Nicky Gumbel, says a ‘walk and talk’ with God is his favourite way to pray. Paradoxically, the act of walking can prevent distracting thoughts from entering our minds and improve our focus.
