Do you ever wonder why some old people are full of energy and others seem exhausted all the time? The difference lies in the stamina of their body i.e. the ability of their body to withstand the physical and emotional pressures. It is a myth that stamina is important only for athletes and players. The reality is that today life is so taxing that one needs immense stamina to withstand the routine demands of home chores, office workload etc. Those who seem energized even in the old age have put in years of hard work to build their stamina. Those who neglect their bodies when young, begin to deplete their energy reservoir and have to bear the not-so-good consequences in the old age. So if you wish to enjoy life even in the later years of life, you need to start working towards it from today. Remember that stamina is not built overnight but it requires patience and long periods of hard work and discipline.
Stamina can be built by focusing on three things – exercise, diet and sleep. For the emotional and mental stamina meditation is the key. Let us look at each of these aspects further in greater details;
- Proper Exercise – Both strength training and aerobic workouts are required to improve stamina. Swimming and cycling are good options to build endurance as they involve all the body parts. Walking also produces wonderful results. You can either walk on a treadmill or go for a morning/evening walk outside. An early morning walk outside in fresh air also boosts up the production of feel-good hormones. You can start off with slow and shorter exercise routine and then step up the frequency and intensity. It is advisable to do weights 3-4 times a week. This helps to build muscles as well as stamina. This should be done under the strict supervision of a well-qualified trainer.
- Healthy Diet & Nutrition – Consider our body similar to a machine. The adulterated fuel will hinder proper functioning of the machine as well as reduces efficiency. Similarly food is fuel for our body. Eating unhealthy food for long periods of time causes decrease in energy levels. A diet with adequate combination of carbohydrates, fat, protein and fibers should be consumed daily in five-six small portions. This helps to keep up the metabolism of the body, providing energy for proper functioning and hence building stamina.
- Adequate Sleep – It is important to take adequate sleep of 7-8 hours every day. When we sleep, the healing mechanism of the body wakes up and repairs all the wear and tear that our body has undergone during the day. Sleeping less does not give enough time to the body to heal and take up new challenges.
- Meditation & Yoga – While building physical stamina is important to meet bodily demands, emotional and mental strength is required to stay positive even when life throws up tough challenges. Meditation and yoga go a long way in improving the mental and emotional stamina.
Thus we see by being little more disciplined and focused we can enjoy life full of vigor even when we are old. But that requires concentrated efforts to build stamina right from today. Invest time and efforts today to build stamina and enjoy a vibrant, energized tomorrow.
This article is brought to you by HealBlog.
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