When it comes to transforming your body, you may only think of the gym as the place that can make this goal happen. But, transforming your body isn’t just a physical thing. Optimal health includes 4 pillars of fitness—mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical. With these in mind, here are 5 ways to transform your body and health when you don’t feel like going to the gym.
1. Swimming
Every four years, the Olympics rolls around and during that time the increase in interest for swimming seems to double if not triple. Yes, it’s a physically impressive feat to swim that fast, but a lot of times, many people are enamored with the lean and toned shape of the swimmers. Swimming (not leisurely doggy-paddling) can burn up to 750 calories per hour. Calories are important, but to transform your body and health entails more than just burning those calories.Swimming has been linked to increasing longevity.[1] For those with injury issues, swimming provides an activity where you can push yourself without the added risk of further injuring yourself. Swimming improves your lung function and thus provides tremendous benefits to your respiratory system.[2]
2. Dancing
The majority of people may think of dancing as a weekend-only activity (often accompanied by loud music and a few drinks). But, dancing is an activity that provides many benefits to your health. From pole dancing to salsa dancing, this form of physical activity helps transform your body by helping you take control of your internal world, and perhaps most importantly, can help you improve your confidence. Dancing can increase our level of happiness[3] as it aids in the fight against mental illnesses.[4] Another benefit of dancing is its ability to help keep your brain sharp and prevent dementia.[5]
3. Walking
It can be boring and often times overlooked as a way to improve your health, but walking is a powerful tool to use in your exercise regimen. In fact, a daily walk of up to 25 minutes can add up to seven extra years to your life.[6] For those heavily involved with weight lifting, walking provides a great supplementary activity because it is not taxing exercise and thus you’re allowing your body to relax and repair. And for those who have trouble sitting and meditating, walking can be used as a form of meditation especially if you’re doing this activity while out in nature. Walking has been shown to help those with Alzheimer’s[7] and many other diseases.[8] If you require a sharp brain for your career, walking also helps with mild cognitive impairments and improves your thinking.[9]
4. Sex
What better way to transform your body and have some fun in the process than to have sex (safety first though)? Individuals who engage in sexual activities a couple times a week have higher levels of immunoglobulin A in their saliva.[10] This is an antibody designed to help us fight infections and the nagging common cold that gets many people. Often times we resort to chocolate or other foods that could hamper our fitness goals when we’re stressed. But did you know that sex (specifically semen)[11] can act as an antidepressant for women? And with men, according to a study by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), those who have more intercourse have better control over their blood pressure compared to men who have less intercourse.[12] Engaging in frequent sex also helps you maintain the fountain of youth (i.e. maintaining great skin).[13] Sex is so powerful that getting busy in the morning can lead to you having a glow to yourself all day long.[14]
5. Yoga
If you scoff at yoga and the benefits that it is supposed to provide, think again. Yoga deserves a seat at everyone’s table when it comes to transforming your health and body. Yoga has been suggested as benefiting those who suffer from depression, schizophrenia, and other mental conditions as well as sleep problems.[15] Those who suffer from frequent migraines can also benefit from adopting a yoga practice.[16] To reiterate point number four about more sex helping with your health, yoga will help with a myriad of your sexual functions and this applies to both men[17] and women.[18] Yoga also helps those with insomnia.[19] Lastly, yoga can aid in your nutrition and daily decision-making because its regular practice can help you to be more mindful with your food choices, as it helps you to avoid mindless eating.
