Dr Sangeetha Madhu - Mind over matter

Exercise, Energy, and Euphoria

The energy of the mind is the essence of life .- Aristotle.

At a leadership workshop, a team of seafarers was really excited to share with us, their journey of beating loneliness on board by encouraging team sports. They resonated with the idea that sport and exercise can be beneficial for bonding, enhancing positive emotions, fostering a sense of well-being, and ultimately leading to teamwork. Pursuing exercise and training has helped me gain a deeper understanding of mind-body connections.

The benefits of exercise for expanding human potential are infinite. Research indicates that when we exercise, we enjoy a better quality of sleep, our immune system functions better, positive emotions endure, increases energy levels, and produces happy hormones ( endorphins ). In fact, exercise is equivalent to medication in alleviating negative emotions; bringing sharper focus, better memory, and greater resilience.

Regular physical activity can boost brain functions, reduce inflammation, prevent cognitive decline, lead to neurogenesis, and BDNF, a brain-derived protein. The key realization is that we need to enjoy, savor, work at our own pace, find a partner/group, be a positive role model for our family, inspire our colleagues and involve our neighborhood in our journey towards wellness. Being too focused on results and goals seems to be counterproductive.

Being mindful of the mutual benefits, we can enjoy through physical exercise, team sports, family time, and fun at work through play. Playfulness and sport bring people together and helps us bring our collective energy to achieve group goals effortlessly. Keep calm and exercise.