Exercise Everyday for a Month

The Promise

I will get some form of exercise every day for the next month.

Impact of the Promise

Exercise. Going to the gym. Every New Year, these phrases repeatedly pop up as resolutions. Often, people cannot follow up on these resolutions. Why? Because turning one’s lifestyle around is not easy. However, many fail to realize that “exercising” does not have to be throwing around hundreds of pounds in a gym; it can be as simple as going for a light jog through a park. In fact, according to the Mayo Clinic, regular brisk walking reduces the risk of heart disease, cancer, and stroke; increases energy levels; strengthens the immune system; and improves memory and sleep. As we just read, the physical benefits of exercising stretch far beyond just achieving a “dream body.”

It turns out that exercising has significant mental benefits as well. According to research by several doctors from the University of Nebraska Medical Center and the Omaha VA Medical Center, “exercise improves mental health by reducing anxiety, depression, and negative mood and by improving self-esteem and cognitive function.” However, all exercise should be done in moderation. Over-exertion can actually have an adverse effect on one’s body. Regardless, with the breadth of benefits it holds, exercise should be considered being incorporated into just about anybody’s schedule.