What Does it Mean to be Physically Fit?
Improving the fitness level should be one of the most important aspects of our lives. Stressful and sedentary life is doing us no favors as we are always fighting for profit and often extend our work efforts in the office beyond eight hours per day or through the weekends. This kind of life rhythm has made almost impossible to dedicate our time to our health and fitness.
We will do everything for money but nothing for ourselves, and I mean for our body. Fitness level is not measured by the amount of fat we have and does not mean that not being fit is only being over-weight.
If you are battling your over-weight issue with eating less and only once or twice a day, you are doing nothing for your fitness and health. Fitness is composed of four core elements, and it is important that we take care for each of these elements:
- Strength
- Speed
- Stamina
- Flexibility
Being fit also means being healthy because fitness relates to health. Health is a state of a complete mental, physical and social well being. Start looking at your health and fitness as a means to increase your every day job performance, not only physical, but also mental. Fitness should be a way to relax yourself after a stressful day in the office. Exercise and proper nutrition are ways to battle with stress and play an important role in alleviating stress symptoms.
When we are at stress our body has increased demand for vitamins, minerals and proteins. A necessity for Vitamin C is particularly increased as well as extra doses of Vitamin B are necessary to alleviate symptoms such as cloudy thinking, numbness and tingling. Therefore, proper nutrition is important for overall body functions and to help our body to cope with the stress.
Physical activity is also a great way to eliminate stress. Everyone should spend at least 20 minutes a day to relax through exercise. This does not mean you need to go to a gym and exhaust yourself on a treadmill. A simple walk during your lunch time or after work will do miracles to your health. It will help you to clear your mind, reduce tension and increase your energy level.
Stretching is another way to fight stress and also improves the flexibility element of your overall fitness level. It prevents muscle stiffness, strain and soreness and improves blood flow throughout your body. Stretching regularly has the therapeutic effect for your muscles and your mental health. If you are sitting at your desk a whole day, take a couple of minutes each hour or two to stretch.
Here are a few examples of stretching at your desk:
- Just stand up and sit a couple of times and don't help yourself with your hands.
- Replace your chair with an exercise ball. It will help you get rid of the lower back pain problem because you will engage your back, leg and butt muscles, which are the main cause for such pains.
- Do a torso twist by turning to right and grabbing the back of your chair with your right hand, and then turn to the left and grab it with your left hand.
- Stand up straight with your legs shoulder-width apart and stretch your hands directly above you. Slowly exhale and bend your body at the waist and to the side so that your head and arms hang loosely toward the ground.
Do you want to know more ways to alleviate stress and improve fitness level?
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About the Author:
Fitness entusiast and content contributor for many fitness blogs and article directories. Dinko was computer hobbyst from the age of 5 but when it became his everyday profession, 12 years ago, his thirst for knowledge and a need to relax was fulfilled with fitness and healthy living ideology.