Summer is right around the corner, so why not get a little more active? Of course, doing so should be a lifestyle change, and there’s no reason that it should just be to get a so-called “summer body”, whatever that means. There are many advantages to getting out and about that can last you all year-round, or even for the rest of your life.
You can get fit
Okay, call us Captain Obvious – this one’s a given. If you become more active, your overall fitness level tends to improve. You’ll notice how we didn’t say “thin”, because “fit” looks different for everyone. Obviously, losing a few pounds after working hard in the gym or other activities can be a goal, or even just a happy side effect of being active, but that’s not the overall aim when talking purely about health.
According to the Center of Disease Control & Prevention, exercising is absolutely crucial for reducing your risk of everything from heart disease to diabetes, and even some cancers. They recommend starting off small and then working your way up to give you the best chance of staying physically in shape.
But fitness isn’t all physical. Getting active is actually proven to massively improve mental health as well. It lowers your risk of depression and even keeps up your learning prowess as you age.
It can make you seem more interesting
Ever been completely caught out like a rabbit in the headlines by the question “so, what are your hobbies?”. Many of us are ashamed to admit it but, often, the extent of excitement in our lives revolves around work, scrolling through social media and, if you’re lucky, perhaps a few drinks with friends or dinner plans during the weekend.
Now, you might argue that you don’t care what other people think of you – and that’s fair enough. But it’s good to live a full life – and doing so might attract other exciting people as well. When you’re looking at dating profiles, for example, what are you looking for? People with interests beyond just work and drinking make them stand out, right?
Going to the gym might make you look good but it can also be a talking point. And just imagine how many people are going to want to talk to you when you tell them you’re kind of a big deal in the martial arts or marathon worlds. Next time you’re scrolling through dating sites like Badoo, just remember to hold yourself to the same standards that you hold others to!
You can meet people
Some people don’t know other individuals who are already doing what they want to do. Many gyms have an entire timetable of classes, where you can do everything from Zumba to Yoga, and everything in between. Many people go alone, and it’s your choice whether you want to integrate and chat with new people, or whether you prefer to just be in and out.
A lot of people don’t want to work out on their own. Unless you’re really focused and you know exactly what you’re doing, it can be hard to remain motivated and therefore hard to actually reach your goals. Working out as part of a group means you’re accountable – you want to show up to be part of the team – plus it’s really fun as well.
Lots of activity clubs also welcome new additions, and that’s a really great way to make friends. Let’s say you want to become good at surfing. Who wouldn’t? Not only does it look badass, it’s actually really good for you. Plus, it’s so fun to go slashing about in the waves, and plenty of other people feel the same.
You might gain new skills
The skills you gain while becoming more active might make you more generally useful in life. After all, if someone needs help doing something – say moving to a new house – they’re going to ask someone who’s strong and able, so you’ll be able to potentially help friends and family more. On second thought… perhaps that’s not such a plus!
Other skills could come in handy in other ways. Perhaps you’ve gotten into hiking. With that, opportunities to camp or learn to survive out in the wilderness come about — and that is a fantastic skill to have.
These skills can also lead to gainful employment. After going to a gym or otherwise getting involved with physical activity for a while, you may find that you actually want to turn it into a career option. There are plenty of things you can do to make money out of a more active lifestyle — and many of these don’t even require you to give up your day job. After some training, yoga teaching and personal training, for example, can all be done on the side.
Not only would you be keeping up your new, more active lifestyle – you would be encouraging others to do the same.
You Could Broaden Your Horizons
Certain activities – especially outdoor pursuits – can lead to exciting adventures across the globe. Some people try something like diving once, get hooked, and then find themselves swanning around a Thai island for the next few years learning to be an instructor. Alternatively, if you’ve ever dreamed of being a lifeguard Down Under, perhaps on Bondi Beach, this is obviously a lot easier to become a reality if you’re already doing the same thing at home.
Travel is certainly one area where an active lifestyle is beneficial, but it’s not the only one. Living an active lifestyle allows you to think outside the box. Fitness modelling and competitions are one way for the extremely dedicated to showcase their devotion to their craft and gain a little notoriety within the scene.
Just be careful when involving yourself in anything too extremes because there can be risks. You should be getting active to make your life better, not getting yourself into something potentially worse. Overall, getting active is something we all should be doing. Just how active you get – and what you do – is entirely up to you.
I write like I think—fast, curious, and a little feral. I chase the weird, the witty, and the why-is-this-happening-now. From AI meltdowns to fashion glow-ups, if it makes you raise an eyebrow or rethink your algorithm, I’m probably writing about it. Expect sharp takes, occasional sarcasm, and zero tolerance for boring content.
