Blog 4: Cardio: The Heart of it All

Welcome back everyone! Last week, I discussed how the method of Tai Chi (also known as moving meditation) is used as a technique to combat stress as it can improve not only physical strength, but mental strength as well. However, today we will be focusing more on the physical aspect of the body, transitioning to the physical activity of aerobic exercise. Aerobic exercise is said to be an activity that is centered around conditioning an individual’s cardiovascular system, meaning the heart and blood vessels of the body. In addition, the level of exercise will elevate one’s breathing and heart rate to help reduce the risk of high blood pressure and heart disease. Some examples of aerobic exercise are cycling, running, walking, hiking, and swimming. Aerobic exercise is “. . . readily accessible, requires no specialist knowledge or equipment, and is more directly linked to cardiovascular fitness, which has also been linked to executive function capabilities” (Guiney & Machado, 2013, p.74). There is no need for a subscription to the gym or the purchasing of equipment because you can use the outside at your disposal, taking in the blooming features of nature in the spring time, while you exercise. In addition, according to Guiney & Machado, aerobic exercise is very beneficial to the individual as it can improve cognitive functions, such as increasing one’s memory span, selective attention, task switching, and response inhibition (a person’s ability to suppress an impulsive behavior) (Guiney & Machado, 2013, p. 83). However, it all comes down to what activity will you enjoy doing and use as a form of exercise to benefit your lifestyle and counteract your levels of stress. It also may be hard if you have not exercised in a while and factors of motivation and encouragement are lacking. Even so, all it takes is thirty minutes daily to satisfy your quota of exercising until you decide to increase the amount at your own pace. Lastly, use the physical technique of aerobic exercise to help with combatting your levels of stress and “Let it go / Let it leave / Let it happen / Nothing / In this world / Was promised or / Belonged to you / Anyway / All you own is yourself,” so please take care of yourself (Kaur, 2017). Stay tuned and stay healthy!

Codex Anatomicus (n.d.).

References

Codex Anatomicus. (n.d.). Heart anatomy III – Old dictionary page [Photograph]. Codex Anatomicus. Retrieved April 25, 2020, from https://codexanatomy.com/products/heart-anatomy-iii-old-dictionary-page

Guiney, H., & Machado, L. (2013). Benefits of regular aerobic exercise for executive functioning in healthy populations. Psychonomic Bulletin & Review, 20(1), 73-86. https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.3758/s13423-012-0345-4.pdf

Kaur, R. (2017). The sun and her flowers (1st ed.). Andrews McMeel Publishing

Please reach out or comment below on any personal experiences that you feel comfortable sharing!

#theheartofitall #aerobicexercise