A little talked-about secret to getting a positive mental attitude....
 

Here's a secret to having a positive mental attitude....

I know this word will freak some people out, but it's a real secret....

The word is

EXERCISE!

Gary Halbert, in one of his newsletters, recommends starting every day with a brisk walk. As well as helping to keep you healthy, you'll clear your mind and re-invigorate yourself....

There's a link between exercise and mood. Studies have apparently found that people who do some kind of regular exercise have fewer problems with depression. Also, those who do some kind of regular exercise are, on average, more successful than those who don't....

I've only just discovered this myself. Until recently, I was a regular lazy slob. I finally have started to exercise every day, for MOOD reasons.... I've really noticed a difference in my state of mind. It sure helps with having a positive mental attitude....

Also, I had noticed that I was doing less exercise on a regular basis than when I was working a job. When you're working a job, you're forced to travel to and from the office, perhaps walk around to a cafe to get some food, that kind of thing. Walking around is part of your day.

But if you're making money from home, you don't need to walk very far! The kitchen is just a few steps away.... The only time I NEED to go out on a regular basis is to the post office (to mail things out), and to shop for groceries.... So if you are working from home, this advice becomes even more important!

But I found the biggest benefit is to your state of mind.... I guess Gary Halbert really knew something, his advice is golden!

So, next time you are feeling a bit down and uninspired, and wondering if you can keep going - do some exercise! Get your heart beating a little bit faster (don't overdo it). You'll feel much better, and it will help you to re-inspire yourself....

And even better, make this part of your every day life. You'll feel better about yourself, and your better mental attitude will help you with your success! :)

- Dien Rice

Re: A little talked-about secret to getting a positive mental attitude....
 

You are quite right Dien. I too can attest to the mood lifting effects of excercise. It never fails to get me out of the doldrums, even if only for a short while. I've heard that what happens is that your body produces more endorphins when you excercise. For those who may not be familiar with that term it refers to a body chemical that acts as a natural pain killer. I believe it is chemically similar to morphine.

I've suffered deep depression many times and I frequently turn to excercise for relief. It works.
It's a free and available tool for mood enhancement.

Another cheap and effective way to fight depression or low mood is...Chocolate. Apparently it stimulates the brain in a way similar to the sensation of being in love. No wonder there are so many chocaholics!

Great of you Dien to offer this tip. Thanks.

> Here's a secret to having a positive mental
> attitude....

> I know this word will freak some people out,
> but it's a real secret....

> The word is

> EXERCISE!

> Gary Halbert, in one of his newsletters,
> recommends starting every day with a brisk
> walk. As well as helping to keep you
> healthy, you'll clear your mind and
> re-invigorate yourself....

> There's a link between exercise and mood.
> Studies have apparently found that people
> who do some kind of regular exercise have
> fewer problems with depression. Also, those
> who do some kind of regular exercise are, on
> average, more successful than those who
> don't....

> I've only just discovered this myself. Until
> recently, I was a regular lazy slob. I
> finally have started to exercise every day,
> for MOOD reasons.... I've really noticed a
> difference in my state of mind. It sure
> helps with having a positive mental
> attitude....

> Also, I had noticed that I was doing less
> exercise on a regular basis than when I was
> working a job. When you're working a job,
> you're forced to travel to and from the
> office, perhaps walk around to a cafe to get
> some food, that kind of thing. Walking
> around is part of your day.

> But if you're making money from home, you
> don't need to walk very far! The kitchen is
> just a few steps away.... The only time I
> NEED to go out on a regular basis is to the
> post office (to mail things out), and to
> shop for groceries.... So if you are working
> from home, this advice becomes even more
> important!

> But I found the biggest benefit is to your
> state of mind.... I guess Gary Halbert
> really knew something, his advice is golden!

> So, next time you are feeling a bit down and
> uninspired, and wondering if you can keep
> going - do some exercise! Get your heart
> beating a little bit faster (don't overdo
> it). You'll feel much better, and it will
> help you to re-inspire yourself....

> And even better, make this part of your
> every day life. You'll feel better about
> yourself, and your better mental attitude
> will help you with your success! :)

> - Dien Rice

Re: A little talked-about secret to getting a positive mental attitude....
 

Hi Jeff,

> I've suffered deep depression many times and
> I frequently turn to excercise for relief.
> It works.
> It's a free and available tool for mood
> enhancement.

I have suffered depression in the past too.... I haven't really found it a problem nowadays (it was more of a problem for me in my late teens and early twenties), but still the mood effects of exercise are stunning to me. It really does work!

I know there are also others who visit Sowpub who have had problems with depression.... I would most definitely recommend a regular exercise routine to see if it helps out with your mood. Try to do some kind of exercise which is fun if you can....

As you have said, Jeff, you can use it to lift your mood at any time you need to.... But in my opinion, for it to have the biggest impact in your life, try to do some exercise every day.

In my experience, though, it's best not to overdo it.... In the past, when I tried to exercise regularly, I tried to do too much. Then, the next day I was full of aches and pains and completely exhausted.... I think it's better to exercise at a more moderate pace so you can do it regularly.

I find walking to be an excellent form of exercise, though I'm planning to take up swimming soon too (low-impact stuff).

If the weather outside is bad, I've found a local large shopping mall I can walk around in protected from the weather! I can do a few circuits of the mall.... :) (The danger there is it could get expensive if you are a compulsive buyer!)

If you get bored, you can also listen to a portable radio while you are walking (such as a walkman or those radios that just sit on your head, like earmuffs)....

> Another cheap and effective way to fight
> depression or low mood is...Chocolate.
> Apparently it stimulates the brain in a way
> similar to the sensation of being in love.
> No wonder there are so many chocaholics!

You're right Jeff, chocolate is great.... Mmmmm, now you're making me hungry! :)

Thanks Jeff for your great post!

- Dien Rice

One Of My Ten Day Promises...
 

I made while doing the Rut/Groove thing was to
walk/jog for 20 minutes every morning, followed
by some sit-ups, push-ups and streching.

I'm on day 5 of that promise and swear I have
twice as much energy and get twice as much done.

I too suffer from depression quite frequently.

My goal is to make exercise a regular habit.

Thanks for driving that home Dien. ;o)

Kind Regards.

Joe Delbecq

> Here's a secret to having a positive mental
> attitude....

> I know this word will freak some people out,
> but it's a real secret....

> The word is

> EXERCISE!

> Gary Halbert, in one of his newsletters,
> recommends starting every day with a brisk
> walk. As well as helping to keep you
> healthy, you'll clear your mind and
> re-invigorate yourself....

> There's a link between exercise and mood.
> Studies have apparently found that people
> who do some kind of regular exercise have
> fewer problems with depression. Also, those
> who do some kind of regular exercise are, on
> average, more successful than those who
> don't....

> I've only just discovered this myself. Until
> recently, I was a regular lazy slob. I
> finally have started to exercise every day,
> for MOOD reasons.... I've really noticed a
> difference in my state of mind. It sure
> helps with having a positive mental
> attitude....

> Also, I had noticed that I was doing less
> exercise on a regular basis than when I was
> working a job. When you're working a job,
> you're forced to travel to and from the
> office, perhaps walk around to a cafe to get
> some food, that kind of thing. Walking
> around is part of your day.

> But if you're making money from home, you
> don't need to walk very far! The kitchen is
> just a few steps away.... The only time I
> NEED to go out on a regular basis is to the
> post office (to mail things out), and to
> shop for groceries.... So if you are working
> from home, this advice becomes even more
> important!

> But I found the biggest benefit is to your
> state of mind.... I guess Gary Halbert
> really knew something, his advice is golden!

> So, next time you are feeling a bit down and
> uninspired, and wondering if you can keep
> going - do some exercise! Get your heart
> beating a little bit faster (don't overdo
> it). You'll feel much better, and it will
> help you to re-inspire yourself....

> And even better, make this part of your
> every day life. You'll feel better about
> yourself, and your better mental attitude
> will help you with your success! :)

> - Dien Rice

Re: One Of My Ten Day Promises...
 

> I made while doing the Rut/Groove thing was to
> walk/jog for 20 minutes every morning, followed
> by some sit-ups, push-ups and streching.

> I'm on day 5 of that promise and swear I have
> twice as much energy and get twice as much
> done.

> I too suffer from depression quite
> frequently.

> My goal is to make exercise a regular habit.

> Thanks for driving that home Dien. ;o)

Joe, that's great you're doing regular exercise....

At the moment, my main exercise is just going for a reasonable walk every day. I like to walk different places to keep the scenery changing.... More recently, I've been bringing my camera along too to take any interesting photos along the way. :)

Depression is a surprisingly common problem, but now I wonder if our sedate lifestyle is part of the problem? It's food for thought....

When I start feeling down, I drop what I'm doing and do something physical!

- Dien