Dr. Lara May

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2021 the Year of Awareness & New Year Gift: The Benefits of Exercise

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HAPPY HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

I’m sure we are all ready to say GOOD BYE 2020 & HEEEEELLLOOO 2021!

Last year my word for 2020 was flow. I chose this in Dec 2019 and kept the energy of flow active throughout the year. I believe it is one of the things that helped keep me on track, upbeat, and productive throughout the past very challenging year.

This year I am proclaiming my word to be AWARENESS.

To change any habit, practice, energy, opinion, etc., you must become aware of what you’re currently doing. Once aware, then you can take different action steps to change. If you are ready to break the cycles keeping you stuck in 2020, then it’s time to bring in the awareness and bust out of those cycles.

One tool I use is to document the current behavior in my journal. Make notes about the different aspects that stand out to you about whatever it is you want to change. Once you have the data, you can make small changes, document the results, make more small changes, and so on, until your habits start to work for you. I have tons more insights and tools to bring you about awarness over the coming year. I can’t wait!

Let’s start off the new year by trying this awareness out with your movement practice. (Or maybe the lack there of )

Exercise is the best gift you can give yourself. Consistent, regular exercise can change your life in ways you may not have considered. Here are a few ways:

Benefit #1: It improves your self-esteem. Exercising regularly or more than twice a week will make you feel better about yourself and naturally improve your self-esteem. It will make you feel like you have accomplished something and like you have done something amazing for yourself. This feeling of accomplishment will make you believe in yourself more and you will become confident in other aspects of your life.  

Benefit #2: It will make your skin glow. If you battle with bad or dull skin, try adding exercise to your daily to-do list and make it a point to check it off. Regular exercise can help relieve dullness and acne and may help prevent the signs of early aging like wrinkles and fine lines.  

Benefit #3: You will sleep better. Regular exercise will reward you with a peaceful night of deep and quality sleep. Exercising strengthens your body’s circadian rhythms, which keep you alert and awake during the day and make you feel sleepy at night. If you find it hard to sleep, try just fifteen minutes of exercise a day and notice the improvements.  

Benefit #4: It helps control your weight. Exercising on a regular basis helps you burn the calories that you have consumed throughout the day so that you can either lose or maintain your weight and build muscle tone.  

Benefit #5: It improves your memory and brain health. Exercising can improve your memory and the overall health of your brain. It can prevent brain fog, that sudden shut down of your brain that happens when you get tired and makes even the simplest and most routine tasks seem difficult and suddenly very confusing. Exercise also stimulates the production of hormones, which aid in the repair and growth of your brain cells.

Benefit #6: It helps reduce chronic pains. Regular exercise can help in reducing and possibly eliminating excruciating chronic pains. One of the most common causes of chronic pain is inactivity. Your body is just like a machine; as long as it remains active, it will function well. Several studies have also shown that regular exercise can increase your pain tolerance and decrease your body’s perception of pains and aches.

Benefit #7: It can help you feel happier. Last but, definitely not least, regular exercise can help reduce or prevent feelings of anxiety and depression and make you feel happy again. According to a study conducted by Penn State University, people who exercise regularly, even at a beginner level, are found to be more content and happier than those who fail to do so. To feel even better, try increasing the intensity of your workouts slowly and feel more accomplished, healthy, and happy.

So, do you have a practice? Do you want to start or change your practice with the new year? I encourage you to make note of what your current reality is in your journal relative to your exercise practice. Then make note of aspects about it. Your thoughts and opinions about it. Now go back and look over to see where you can start to choose to change those thoughts, willingly change your opinions and perspective. And decide to take 1 action step toward change in the next 24 hours. Let me know what comes up for you in the comments below.

I hope this little burb inspires you to implement a more nurturing practice into your day and new year. Remember, it’s not about being perfect, it’s just about much we can stay in alignment. I am here for you, just a message or email away. Reach out with your questions. Sign up for a clarity call. Together we will discuss your healing journey, and make an action plan to get you to your goal.

Namaste,

-   Dr. Lara

P.S.

Don’t forget! Join me on my Facebook page,  as well as Instagram & Twitter @drlaramay.

PSS be sure to tune in to my podcast on your favorite platform, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Podbean or Anchor.Fm @Light Body Radio to get all the juicy info coming your way in an easily digestible format. I look forward to hearing your feedback, comments, and suggestions.


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Hi! I'm Lara (pronounced like Sarah, but with a L). 

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