Fearless Series #4: Be Fit To Be Fearless….

Fearless Series #4: Be Fit To Be Fearless….

Is there really a relationship between being in good to great cardiovascular shape and being fearless? Well, let’s stop for a moment and think about a few things. How do you feel when you are facing one of your fears? Is your heart pounding? Are your hands sweaty? That is all occurring due to a surge of cortisol (the stress hormone) in your body. This response was great and still is great for helping us to avoid danger. This is our deep innate response of fight or flight that is activated for self preservation. Not so practical for facing less daunting and life threatening fears, right?

Jeff Wise wrote a book about how the brain works in the event of extreme fear called Extreme Fear: The Science of Your Mind in Danger. In his complimentary article in Psychology Today entitled, Nine Secrets of Courage from ‘Extreme Fear’ he talks about how studies have been done on skydivers to compare their level of fitness and their cognitive abilities after jumping our of planes. He also references a Princeton study looking at rats that are exercised and their cortisol release and receptor activation, noting that the more exercised rats had less cortisol response.

When we exercise, there is a very favorable side effect of having stress levels being lowered. Ever feel nice and relaxed after a good yoga session? There is a reason why actors and public speakers do breathing and relaxation exercises before they get on stage and present. Yoga can definitely quiet the mind and lead to decreased stress and increased mindfulness.

Regular exercise has many benefits not limited to the following:

1. Creates Community. When you are backed by your people or your tribe you are less likely to be afraid. When we feel supported and encouraged, we tend to rise above our fears and triumph.
2. Inspires Commitment. Doing a program from beginning to end breeds a level of commitment and fortitude that emboldens and strengthens inside and out. Seeing progress in levels of endurance and strength promotes continued commitment in a positive feedback loop.
3. Empowerment. When your body is being pushed beyond its comfort zone and you have to dig deep to complete a workout you are practicing fearlessness. This is a daily action that works not only the physical muscles but inner strength as well. This repeated gives rise to bravery and fearlessness.

So hopefully this will encourage you to grab a yoga mat or go for a walk or get started on your fitness journey. Be fit to be fearless!

Be strong. Be brave. Unleash your greatness!

Thank you for your time reading this blog post. If you found it helpful, please share it and comment below.

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Charmaine Gregory

CEO at Fervently Fit with Charmaine LLC

I am a nocturnist Emergency Physician, wife, mom to three vivacious cherubs as well as a greatness and virtual fitness coach. I help busy women like myself reclaim their fitness and wellness mojo and unleash their greatness! Watch my story and get a complimentary health assessment here: My Story If you are like me and have picky eaters in your fold, join my Facebook group, Picky Eaters Strong Mom here: Picky Eater Strong Mom Facebook Group

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