You Know that Exercise Is Good for You. It Just so Happens that the Reverse is Also True

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Last week I realized it was time to lighten the mood a little. Things had gotten a little dark with my bout with depression and since I was feeling better, I was able to natter on about the good stuff.

One of my main themes has been the beneficial side effects to regular, vigorous exercise. When I set out to correct my posture, I embarked on a multi year journey of tough, often painful exercise, primarily yoga. As time went by, the exercises got easier and along with improved posture, I noticed:

  • Less back pain
  • Fewer headaches
  • My migraines were almost eliminated
  • More energy
  • Better sleep
  • Better diet
  • Lowered stress
  • Better relationships
  • Improved work

In short, all aspects of my life got better.

Well, this bout with depression has given me a real time lesson in the reverse effects. For the best part of three week I was barely functional;

  • Snappish with the kids
  • Sleeping poorly
  • Eating poorly
  • No energy
  • Multiple headaches
  • My posture got bad again
  • Less efficient at work

I even lost 8 lbs. I haven’t weighed this little in years, and those 8 lbs were my body reserves.

I don’t know 100% for sure it’s connected, but when I was younger and thinner, I had serious nosebleed problems. I haven’t had one, at least not a serious one, in years. It’s been so long, I don’t really remember the last time I had a bad nosebleed.

Until Tuesday night.

After I went to bed, as I was dozing off, I rubbed my itchy nose. And felt a little trickle begin. A little trickle that turned into a steady stream. A steady stream, which took 15 minutes to stop. Which was repeated on Wednesday.

I don’t know what the relationship between platelet production, stress, nutrition, weight loss, etc. is, but I know this, when I lost my ability to work out hard every day, a whole lot of stuff in my life, stuff I take for granted to be good, began falling apart.

So exercise.

Exercise hard, and exercise regularly. Your whole life will be better for it, and worse for not doing it.


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