This post is second in a series of six articles on why you should care about fitness. We often don’t realize how investments in one aspect of life provide benefits not just in their own realm, but in many other areas of life as well.
Be Honest
Are you ever grumpy? Most of us would grudgingly answer this question in the affirmative. Even though we enjoy so many blessings, comforts, and advantages in our modern society, we all sometimes get upset and unpleasant.
One powerful tool in the battle against grumpiness is a consistent fitness regimen. In particular, a workout that involves moving heavy objects and barbells (the program we recommend here at TotalThriver) tends to take you from a state of irritability to a state of contentedness and confidence.
There are certainly many physiological reasons why moving heavy weights around or doing burpees makes you happier and more relaxed, but to make things simple, let’s just say it this way: workouts are satisfying! Sometimes, you have a rough morning. Nothing seems to go right. And on top of that, your coworker yells at you for not doing a task in the way he would have done it.
Use It
All this junk is your fuel for your workout. When you step up to the barbell, remember those frustrations you faced in the first part of your day. Focus your anger and frustration into the movement you are doing. Not only will the weight move more swiftly, but you will get a better challenge to your muscles and cardiovascular system. And now for the best part: when it’s all over, you won’t care about your morning frustrations anymore!
There’s something about overcoming a difficult physical challenge that melts away a grumpy attitude. Perhaps your coworker was rude and demanding in your morning meeting, but when you return from your workout, you don’t really care about it anymore. By moving your body through this fitness regimen, you’ve burned off your frustrations, and you can start the latter half of your day with a fresh and positive attitude.
The Bonus
And what do you think this does to your life at home with your spouse? If you’ve been married for any length of time, you know that a great many of the fights (and especially the big fights) have lots to do with the disposition of one or both spouses in the moments leading up to the battle. The husband got chewed out by his boss just before leaving work, and the mom was puked on by a sick kid just as dad rolls up the driveway. The smallest conflict between these two is likely to set off a firefight, and both spouses are apt to say things they’ll later regret. Why not take a step to diffuse this situation before it even starts? Take those derogatory comments from your boss with you to the gym, and pour your frustration into some heavy clean and jerks. The fruit that a good fitness regimen brings to your marriage is some of the sweetest you’ll find!