Pain Is Not the Enemy, Make It Your Friend

By John A. Mays, MSEd

Most people who don't exercise claim that they don't have time or that it is painful to push themselves. So, they actually seek pleasure and comfort and avoid anything that requires physical effort. This attitude and mindset makes an individual avoid sensations of “pain” and decreases their tolerance for it. So what happens when minor physical pain, headaches, sickness or life events occur? We end up making a mountain out of a mole hill.

When you are used to periods of being uncomfortable and learn to seek challenges. This transfers to an ability to overcome minor pains and even have such a high tolerance that you don't even notice them. That translates into a higher tolerance for pain and the normal discomforts that stop others dead in their tracks.

You have to get moving to feel better. You have to push yourself to become stronger and more tolerant to pains. When you exercise, your body releases chemicals called endorphins. These endorphins interact with the receptors in your brain that reduce your perception of “pain.” This changes your mindset. What used to be hard becomes a challenge. What used to be pain becomes simply an awareness of temporary discomfort.

In actuality, when you push yourself beyond your normal limits you actually increase your tolerance and enjoy the feeling of pushing yourself to new limits and the feeling that accompanies it is no longer viewed

as pain.

Regular exercise has been

proven to

Ward off stress, anxiety and feelings of depression

Boost self-esteem and body image

Improve muscle strength and tone

Strengthen and build bones