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If Andre Agassi is
right, then “Image is
everything.” Typically, we
imprison ourselves at the
health club to rain
countless drops of sweat
and strain countless fibers
of muscle in order to
achieve such a small
number of goals. For
most of us, the toil of
physical exercise is taken
on for two reasons: to improve or maintain our outward image, and to improve or maintain our
physical health. But what if we exercised for more than image or longevity? What if we exercised
merely to cope? To cope with our fast-paced lives? To cope with our jobs, our schooling, our
families? Basically, to cope with everyday stress? Actually, it is appropriate to exercise to relieve
stress. As a matter of fact, Andre might be wrong about image being everything, because it appears
that stress has a stranglehold on much of our day-to-day living.
Research shows that 70-90% of Americans feel stressed each day, and 95 million people
in this country suffer from some stress-related symptom for which they take medication. The
American Medical Association also reports that stress is the cause of 80-85% of all human illness
and disease. Perhaps, to paraphrase Andre, “Stress is everything.
Stress, however, has an antidote: exercise, because it can be more than an image
enhancer. Exercise is an obvious physical outlet for negative emotions such as anger, frustration,
and irritability. While negative emotions intensify stress, exercise releases energy through the
muscles and causes the brain to release biochemicals to improve mood and discharge negative
feelings. The benefits of exercise are physical and psychological.
Exercise also can prevent and minimize stressful worrying. During exercise, the “worry”
cells in the brain are at rest. Interestingly enough, certain forms of exercise such as walking,
jogging, swimming, and bicycling, help to reduce stress because of their consistent and repetitive
motions. This repetition in movement and breathing becomes “meditative” by altering a person’s
thoughts and feelings and by generating a mental state filled with calmness and tranquility.
Exercise is like a mini-vacation from the toils and pressures of a stressful day.
For a lifestyle that incorporates a good self-image, physical conditioning, and the ability to
cope with the stresses of our society, perhaps Andre’s slogan should be “Exercise is everything. It
is important to exercise to improve our appearance because that helps us to feel good about
ourselves. It is also important to exercise for physical fitness in order to live healthier lives. But it is
vital to exercise to prevent and reduce the stresses of everyday living. At HealthWorks Rehab &
Fitness, we cater to the “complete” person, not a one-dimensional “image.” A workout at
HealthWorks Rehab & Fitness will have you on your way to a reduction in daily stress with a
healthier body and a refreshed mind.
Five Locations To Serve You:
943 Maple Drive, Morgantown, WV (304) 599-2515
1228 Country Club Road, Fairmont, WV (304) 366-0461
60 Clarksburg Road, Buckhannon, WV (304) 472-0181
5804 Mason Dixon Highway, Blacksville, WV (304) 879-5000
25 Main Street, Smithfield, PA (724) 569-4404
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