LANSING, Mich. (WILX) – What if the key to weight loss isn’t challenging your body but relaxing your mind?
Running, biking, and lifting are all great ways to stay in shape, but research shows inner fitness may also be an important part of good health. It involves focusing energy on your emotional well-being rather than performing a physical exercise or following a diet.
Simply monitoring how you talk to yourself is one way to improve your inner fitness.
“Negative self-talk is a problem every day and on a daily basis because it shapes our identity,” said Dr. David Baker. “It becomes who we are.”
If you struggle with negative self-talk, try replacing negative thoughts with reasonable ones. But first, identify the harmful voice that’s speaking to you.
“We don’t just want to replace it, we want to ask, ‘Why are you here?’” Baker said.
Mindfulness meditation is another way to improve your inner fitness. Studies show it can lower blood pressure, improve sleep, reduce chronic pain and lower the risk of anxiety.
Mindful eating which involves tracking your feelings and habits around food can help you lose weight and keep it off.
And yoga — which uses movement, breathing and meditation — has been shown to reduce stress, improve flexibility, boost immunity and lessen anxiety.
Meditation and yoga classes are frequently offered at local recreation centers or health clubs.
More: Health stories
Copyright 2022 WILX. All rights reserved.
Subscribe to our News 10 newsletter and receive the latest local news and weather straight to your email every morning.
