"Health is the vital principle of bliss, and exercise, of health" - James Thomson
It's been a hundred and seventeen days since the community quarantine in our area started. And like everybody else, I struggled to adapt to the quarantined life. It started with a deep dive into paranoia and anxiety. My fear was not entirely for myself but for my vulnerable family members. I fear that the virus could tear my treasured family apart. I did not realize that the fear had pulled me into a dark place.
The abrupt change in lifestyle and working environment was initially a welcoming change for an introvert like me. There was no need to go out - social interactions no more. I no longer needed to dress fancy and wear make up. Suddenly, there was a lot of time. Sounds fun, right?
But in the days that followed, it soon became a burden. Indeed, there was so much time but the things you can do had became limited. You could not do the things you have always wanted to do. (Going out and have fun? - Er, nope). So I found myself hoarding online certificates from different online classes and trainings.
And while I expected that zero make up will, uh, reset my face and make me look younger and brighter, I have never been so wrong in my life. I looked like I aged ten years.
A month into the quarantine, I became restless and irate. My limbs started to numb. My lower back was eternally aching. My head was always painfully throbbing. I was demotivated. I felt and looked ugly. I did not want to work (from home) anymore. And that was the time I realized I was in a dark place.
I missed travelling. I missed eating out. I missed my SO (significant other) as we were forced into LDR (long distance relationship). I missed everything "old" normal.
My SO was fairing better despite the fact that he is an extrovert. He has always been more athletic and more outgoing than me. And he had been working out at home regularly while on quarantine. Of course he encouraged me to exercise. Of course I kept giving him the meh (馃槕) reactions. Exercising at home on hot, humid summer days (nights)? Even the thought of it made me cringed. Exercise? I don't need that! Or so I thought.
So what triggered the change?
Breakouts.
Large and painful pimple breakouts.
Honestly, it wasn't about wanting to get abs or toned arms. But I was plagued by painful and large pimples. It caused my self-esteemed to plummet.
On the other hand, my SO, I noticed, glowed. He had no pimple. And he looked blissful despite being locked down at home.
And I knew why --- the post-workout glow and the happy hormones induced by regular exercise.
So I grabbed my yoga mat (which I haven't used for a year, yup, I'm that lousy) and began my own blissful movement.
Yes, it was the best decision I ever made. I wished I started earlier, but still, I'm thankful I started! That itself was an achievement.
There was a huge positive shift in just two weeks of regular exercising.
I realized that exercise does a looooot for your mental health. And that's on top of the obvious benefits.
When you think good, you feel good, you look good!
