Working Out vs Meditating

  

Image by Ra2studio on Unspalsh  

        In today’s chaotic world, our busy schedules put a lot of stress on our bodies. Doing our absolute best we nourish, feed, and take care of our bodies in the best possible way we can think of. But then we start thinking about taking a step forward to become a healthier version of ourselves. Deciding whether to go for a run or lift weights at the gym for the day’s workout. Or for others, meditating, doing yoga, or simply practicing breathing exercises while sitting down. Despite these two having drastically different approaches, they ultimately share the same goal.  That being to improve our overall well being. One focuses more on physical movement, strength and sweat, and the other focuses on respiratory breathing, balancing or stillness, and inner awareness. This can give us an idea that these two are completely opposite from one another, but both of these have earned their place to connect with our mental and physical health. But like everything in this world there’s always their pros and cons on something. It’s just a matter of time to find what fits us best. Or even thinking on why not working out and doing meditation together.

Mental Health Benefits

    For most, getting into working out or meditating is for their mental health. Both offers  powerful forms of support. Physical exercise is known to help release natural chemicals in our bodies that is also connected to our brains. The natural mood lifters which includes endorphins and dopamine. These two chemicals in our body are called the happy chemicals. This action helps reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. Working out also provides a sense of self accomplishment, and improved self image which plays a big role on someone’s mental health. Meditating offers similar benefits. It focuses slightly more on the mind than on the physical body. Helping on managing stress, reducing negative thoughts patterns and to become more self aware. Both giving you effective tools to improve your emotional balance and mental clarity.

Physical Health Benefits            

    Working out and meditating offer additional health benefits, especially for physical health.  In this aspect, physical health benefits vary depending on whether you choose meditating or working out. Meditation supports on physical wellness in more subtle ways. For example yoga is a slow and control body movements to help relax the body. It doesn’t involve a lot of movement. Constantly meditating is linked to lowering blood pressure and lower heart rate. It’s not as harsh to your body and also you will not wake up the next morning with sore muscles like if you would to be working out. Lifting weights is a prime example of an activity that can cause sore muscles due to the intense physical effort. Working out focuses on actively conditioning your body through lots of movement, strengthening the body, improving cardiovascular health, building muscles and increasing your endurance. Working out requires more energy from your body to perform the intense movements. From personal experience doing yoga does relax your body and the mind. Having that feeling of relief and just going through out the day. But when I workout, I lift weights and I love the adrenaline that it gives me during the workout but the next days feels like I cant get out of bed because of how sore my muscles are but I love it.

Money Cost Could be a Problem

    There are accessibility issues and barriers that people encounter with working out and meditating. You might be thinking getting out of bed? No and well yes. But talking more about cost, physical limitations, space and tools needed to start. With working out it often requires access to space and equipment. Not all of us have an at home gym or access to a gym, like those provided by some apartment complexes. We usually get a gym membership that could range from $10 in a public gym like Planet Fitness or more private gyms which memberships can range up to $75 a month. There are options to find a membership that fits our budget, but sometimes that isn’t possible. We can also keep in mind where working out can include without you having to spend money. Going for a morning walk or run in the park or even in your neighborhood counts as working out for the day. Watching YouTube workout videos can get your heart racing and make you sweat at home, without the need for weights. The same goes for meditation. You can look up YouTube videos that can help you do yoga in your own living room. Having someone to guide you for those breathing exercises. Or for a more professional meditation experience, you can purchase in person yoga classes.

Time Management 

    These two can sound great together to do at the same time. Having one day to workout, lifting those weights and having your heart pumping. Then having the next day to relax, to do yoga and release that tension and stress from your body that you had the day before. But for most of us, the limitation is the amount of time we have. With jobs and school some days there’s only a small window to work out or to meditate but not all the time to do both. Sometimes I only have an hour of free time and have to choose which one to do. With my busy schedule, its rare to be able to do both. Time management is a huge part where people have to go with a routine that includes working out or to meditate or even to alternate between the two.

Physical Barriers 

    Physical limitations such as injuries, health conditions, also is a barrier that people face on whether working out or meditating is best for them. This is where meditation takes a little more preference because it’s more accessible in terms of space and mobility because it can almost be done anywhere, often with nothing more than a quiet room whether it’s your bedroom, living room, or even the kitchen is flexible to be doing meditation.

    Although working out and meditation may seem complete opposites from one another they both serve as a powerful tool for you. You might be the person that likes to break a sweat, or like to feel the calmness and stillness in pure silence.Thinking which one would be more efficient to you but also keeping in mind they both have manny benefits for you, your body, mentality, your health and so much more.