How exercise helps to survive the hard times

Have you noticed that sports not only develop your physical stamina, but also help to cope with life's challenges? Some athletes say that outside the playground exercise brought them no less good than her. If not more.

We are not talking about the physical form. Sport makes you a tough nut to crack. In every way.

You no longer frightened by the prospect of reprimand from the boss. Hard deadlines are not so much under pressure on you. Relationship problems no longer seem insurmountable.

You might think that the whole point of fatigue. Training so much exhausting you, that is simply not the strength to worry about anything. But, apparently, it's not just that. According to studies, sports, on the contrary, for a short time, increases mental alertness and attentiveness. And even in those days, when people exercise regularly, have a rest from training, they remain more resistant to stress.

We often hear that intensive and regular exercise contribute to the prevention and treatment of diabetes, prevention of stroke, heart disease, hypertension and

osteoporosis. But almost no one mentions one of the main advantages of playing sports: intense training taught us to cope with difficulties.

How to exercise influence on athletes

Best of all, this skill is developed for those who are engaged in sports that require great stamina. These athletes make their living that can withstand the load, which is not practical for many people. They confirm that the sport has taught them not to be afraid of difficulties.

American long distance runner Desiree Linden said that years of practice had taught her to stay calm and focused even in those moments when she was beginning to run out of steam. She just kept repeating to himself: "Hush, hush, hush, quiet, quiet ...".

One of the best surfers of the world Nick Lamb believes that the fear and discomfort that he had to overcome, just help him ride the biggest waves. In addition, according to him, they gave him the impetus for personal growth. Nick realized that almost always, when you're ready to give up, you can make an effort and one more obstacle to overcome.

If you turn away, you will regret it. Be bold and go forward.

Nick Lamb

Climber Alex Honnold, the famous free-solo ascents (without insurance and partner), claims that to cope with difficulties only through constant training. They allow you to get used to the load, after which the high-altitude ascents do not seem so scary. The same principle can be used in everyday life.

American cyclist Evelyn Stevens, set the time on the track record, said that in the most difficult moments for her She tried not to wait, when this is all over, and tried to experience as much as possible all the tension and deal with it.

Extreme photographer Jimmy Chin advises in dangerous situations, listen to the voice of reason and distinguish between the real and the imagined risk.

People who are lucky enough to communicate with the 16-times champion of the USSR on climbing Valery Balezin, note that enviable resistance inherent in him in all situations: during ascents in ordinary life.

What scientists say

However, it is not necessary to engage extreme sports or seek to establish a world record. According to the field of health psychology research, when college students, have not previously engaged in sports in general, tried to go to the gym at least two or three times a week, they felt the positive impact of training on all aspects of their lives. We surveyed students were marked decrease in levels of stress, alcohol and caffeine, smoking cessation or reduction in the number of cigarettes smoked. They also began to consume more healthy foods to cope with a large number of domestic responsibilities and perform better in their studies.

In addition, after two months of regular exercise among the participants of the experiment improved the level of self-control. Speaking unprofessional language, students have learned to remain calm and composure in those moments when their body tells them it's time to stop training. This had an impact on their ability to handle stress, struggle with bad habits and cope with large volumes of information.

According to the author of the bestseller "force of habit"Charles Duhigg, training are thus key habits that initially operate on one area of ​​life, and then start a positive change in others. These habits have such power, because changing our perception of yourself and your abilities.

This is probably why a charity project Back on My FeetIn which more than five thousand homeless people took part in the marathon, had such success. 40% of the participants of the marathon were able to find a job, 25% - permanent housing.

Lesson long distance running also helped many to cope with these blows of life, like a divorce or death of a loved one.

Other research has also confirmed that regular exercise helps us to cope with stressful situations. At the beginning of the semester, researchers from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology in Germany, the students were divided into two groups. One group was to go out twice a week on the run.

The experiment lasted 20 weeks. It coincided with the end of the most stressful period of student life - session. With the help of instruments measuring the heart rate, the researchers traced the difference in the level of stress in the two groups of students. As you may have guessed, the students engaged in running were much less susceptible to stress.

These studies have shown that in order to get the desired effect, not necessarily to put tremendous efforts. You just need to find for itself a kind of training that will make collect will in a fist and overcome themselves and their laziness.

For what it's all you need? In order to pump itself. In all senses.