At a community health seminar, I met Mr. Zhang, a 60-year-old retired teacher. Mr. Zhang confessed to me that since his retirement, he has rarely done physical activity. At first, he thought it was just the norm of old age, until he began to feel a drop in physical strength, often feeling tired, and even out of breath after walking a few steps. After a series of tests, Mr. Zhang was surprised to find that his blood pressure was high and his blood sugar levels had begun to rise. Doctors told him that these were all direct consequences of lack of exercise.
Mr. Zhang's story is not unique, but it reflects a social phenomenon in which many people, especially middle-aged and elderly people, do not understand the importance of exercise enough, or even ignore it. But in reality, there is no substitute for the role of exercise in maintaining health. This neglect not only affects the health of individuals, but can also become a burden on families and even society.
Interpret the phenomenon of "not liking sports" from a scientific perspective
Why "not liking sports" has become a "disease"
Not liking exercise, from a physiological point of view, is the body's adaptation and inertial response to long-term life patterns. The human brain is naturally inclined to conserve energy, which was a survival mechanism in ancient times, but in modern society, this mechanism can lead to insufficient exercise. In addition, the convenience of modern society, such as elevators, cars, etc., has greatly reduced the amount of exercise in people's daily lives.
From a psychological point of view, "not liking sports" is also related to personal emotions, attitudes and social environment. Some people may have developed resistance to exercise due to past failures or unhappiness in their sports experiences. In terms of social environment, the lack of sufficient public exercise space and facilities is also one of the external factors that lead to people's lack of exercise.
The physiological demands of exercise and its scientific mechanisms
The human body's need for exercise stems from its basic need for health. Exercise stimulates the heart's ability to pump blood, improves blood circulation, boosts metabolism, and strengthens immune system function, while also regulating mental state and reducing stress. Physiologically, exercise can promote the secretion of endorphins, which are natural analgesics and happy hormones that help to elevate mood and reduce pain.
Scientific studies have shown that regular exercise is effective in preventing and controlling a variety of noncommunicable diseases, such as abnormal glucose metabolism and increased systemic arterial blood pressure. Exercise helps maintain a healthy weight and body fat ratio and prevent obesity and its related complications by improving the efficiency of muscle utilization and optimizing the energy expenditure process.
After 10 days of not exercising, these amazing changes occur in the body
In our daily lives, busyness has become the norm, making many people ignore the importance of exercise. However, you may not realize that just 10 days of physical activity can bring about a series of adverse changes in our body.
An emergency alert to the cardiovascular system: as little as 10 days of inactivity, the heart becomes less productive. A subtle increase in heart rate and a slight increase in blood pressure is undoubtedly bad news for people who are experiencing or at risk of cardiovascular disease. Reduced cardiovascular system means that the heart needs to work harder to keep it functioning properly.
Metabolic speed press the "slow broadcast" button: on days when you don't exercise, your metabolic speed will also quietly slow down. Not only does this mean that you may gain weight, but that your blood sugar levels will fluctuate more dramatically, increasing your risk of abnormal glucose metabolism. Slowed metabolism leads to a decrease in energy conversion efficiency, making it easier for body fat to accumulate.
Silent protest of muscles and bones: a decrease in muscle strength and endurance, as well as a slight decrease in bone density, is another series of changes that can result from inactivity for 10 days. Muscles gradually lose their capacity due to lack of regular stimulation, and bones become more fragile due to lack of exercise.
The invisible crisis of mental health: the reduction in physical activity not only affects our physical health, but also negatively affects our mental state. Lack of exercise can lead to mood swings, increased feelings of stress, and even affect the quality of sleep at night.
Warning signs of the immune system: Exercise is essential for maintaining a strong immune system. On days when you don't exercise, your immunity may be weakened, making your body more susceptible to viruses and bacteria.
How to break down the barriers of not being athletic
After understanding the impact of not exercising on the body, how can you overcome your inner resistance and regain the joy and motivation of exercising?
Start small: You don't need to set a difficult exercise goal at the beginning. Start with daily walks and gradually increase the amount of exercise. A small sense of accomplishment motivates you to keep going.
Find a partner to exercise: Exercising with friends or family can increase the enjoyment of exercise while also helping you to stick to it. The road with companionship is not difficult.
Diversify your exercise plan: Different exercise styles can bring you different experiences. Tai Chi, yoga, swimming, cycling, find the most suitable way to exercise for yourself, and avoid exercise becoming a burden.
Learn about the benefits of exercise: Learn more about the health benefits of exercise and boost your motivation psychologically. Understand that exercise not only improves physical fitness, but also brings a sense of psychological satisfaction and achievement.
Incorporate exercise into your life and make it a habit, not a burden. Through these practical methods, we can gradually overcome the obstacle of not being active and enjoy the fun and benefits of sports. Change starts now, so that both body and mind can gain more vitality and health.