Do you keep track of what you do for exercise? It turns out this is a much more powerful tool than we ever thought. However, the power is NOT in reaching your calorie or steps goal each day. The power is in how it changes your thoughts.
This study published in Heath Psychology in November 2017 found that people who thought they were not doing as much exercise as others their age died at a younger age than those who thought they did more. Not so surprising. We know exercise helps improve longevity. But here is the interesting part, this occurred even when they were doing the same amount of exercise. In other words, if you think you are not getting enough exercise, it changes your body and health in a way that lowers the benefits of exercise – even if you are getting enough to keep you healthy!
What?! That is amazing! The longevity risk was up to 71% greater for people who thought they were less active, but were actually doing the same amount as others.
When you look at research in other areas of perception about health, this is not really that surprising. Research shows that the placebo effect is not all just in your head, it changes your body too. It is so real, it is now called the “belief effect”. A persons belief in a medical treatment accounts for up to 40% of the reason why they work. When a person believes the activity they are doing for their job will improve their health, their health measures, like blood pressure, improve. Just because of what they believed! This even worked when patients knew they were taking placebo! This belief effect has also been shown to work for what we believe about the foods we eat.
What we believe powerfully changes our body. So it is not really surprising that what we believe about getting enough exercise changes our body and health. This is where tracking is so important. The simple act of writing down what you did for exercise each day is powerful. Your brain is reassured you are doing something. It signals your body that it is healthy. They key to getting these benefits though is knowing that something is better than nothing when it comes to exercise. If you do something and it leaves you feeling better then when you started – that is truly enough exercise!
So my friends, give yourself credit for what you ARE doing. Find a way to keep track that works for you:
- keep a simple list
- use an app
- write it on your calendar
- put a coin or a marble in a clear jar each time you exercise
Whatever you do, keep it somewhere that will serve as a reminder you ARE doing enough exercise. It will also serve as a reminder when you start to stray from exercising. Find what works best for you and then enjoy reveling in your accomplishments each day.
Something is way better than nothing, especially when you believe it is!
Keep moving. Be Well,