Looking back at the recent lethargic period I went through, I began to realize a few things. Laziness breeds depression which in turn breeds laziness, and this goes on ad infinitum. It is a vicious cycle that sees no end until the person is dead.
I used to think that exercising would use up so much of my energy that I would not be able to perform any mechanical or mental functions as a result. This was not the case, however. I found that working out has actually helped me increase the amount of energy I have. I'm sure there are expert physicians that can explain why this is the case, but all I know is that my previous way of thinking is out the window. I now realize that exercising actually helps me stay energetic. I have known this for a while now, but I feel that coming out of my "mood" helped expand the contrast a bit.
Considering I get plenty of cardio walking to and back from college everyday, I decided to get the more resistive training at home with crunches and weight-lifting. I used to have arms that were extremely skinny, and though they're not exactly huge now, you can start seeing definition. That is definitely an improvement. Also, I started to develop a bit of a pudge last year but the walking has toned down my stomach to the point where I can start to feel my abs again. Though I'm trying to gain more mass at the moment, I'm not looking to become too big.
Anyway, it is not really just physical exercise that peaked my epiphany, but also mental exercise. When I was feeling down, I didn't exactly feel like pursuing knowledge for the sake of knowledge. It comes as no surprise then that I became unhappier as a result, thus fueling the cycle. Yesterday, I checked out a biography of Augustus Caesar from the library to entertain myself throughout my week off - another sign of improvement.
I guess the point of this post is to emphasize the need for exercise, both mental and physical. Most people either go for one or the other, but I feel they are both equally important. Stagnation brings with it gloom and disease, and this not only applies to the individual, but to the collective as well.
Though most of us are in motion, we are not really moving; though most of us are studying, we are not really learning. For all its inventions and innovations, society is still stagnant because the individual refuses to exercise his mental and physical capabilities. Man is refusing to become all that he is capable of becoming. It is only when we start to exercise our limbs and brains that we will be able to break out of the cycle.
I used to think that exercising would use up so much of my energy that I would not be able to perform any mechanical or mental functions as a result. This was not the case, however. I found that working out has actually helped me increase the amount of energy I have. I'm sure there are expert physicians that can explain why this is the case, but all I know is that my previous way of thinking is out the window. I now realize that exercising actually helps me stay energetic. I have known this for a while now, but I feel that coming out of my "mood" helped expand the contrast a bit.
 |
| Not exactly big, but definitely an improvement. |
Anyway, it is not really just physical exercise that peaked my epiphany, but also mental exercise. When I was feeling down, I didn't exactly feel like pursuing knowledge for the sake of knowledge. It comes as no surprise then that I became unhappier as a result, thus fueling the cycle. Yesterday, I checked out a biography of Augustus Caesar from the library to entertain myself throughout my week off - another sign of improvement.
I guess the point of this post is to emphasize the need for exercise, both mental and physical. Most people either go for one or the other, but I feel they are both equally important. Stagnation brings with it gloom and disease, and this not only applies to the individual, but to the collective as well.
Though most of us are in motion, we are not really moving; though most of us are studying, we are not really learning. For all its inventions and innovations, society is still stagnant because the individual refuses to exercise his mental and physical capabilities. Man is refusing to become all that he is capable of becoming. It is only when we start to exercise our limbs and brains that we will be able to break out of the cycle.
