success

Harnessing the Power of Exercise: A Holistic Approach to Boys’ Mental Health

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Friends, we’re living in an era where our world is expanding and competition is intensifying – not just within our own neighborhoods, but on a global stage. Our American kids are battling it out with bright minds from India, China, and beyond for jobs and resources. It’s no wonder we’re eager to offer our children every possible advantage.

You want your child in the best schools, soaking up knowledge, sweating hard work, and acing those report cards. You want them to head into the world armed with the tools to conquer whatever challenges they face. So, if your boy is having difficulty staying focused, it’s only natural to consider medication that promises to boost concentration. If a doctor recommends it, it must be safe, correct?

However, we must pause and question – are there alternative routes to this destination? Have we, as a collective, tacitly decided to medicate our kids with stimulants in an effort to edge out the competition? Is this really the optimal path we want to tread?

I believe it’s crucial to remember that boys, by their very nature, are bundles of energy. Maybe our focus needs to shift towards creating more opportunities for physical activities for our young ones. This could be the transformative change our children need, and it might just set them on a healthier, more balanced path to success.

I recently stumbled upon a study that illuminated the compelling efficacy of physical exercise in treating depression and anxiety, it resonated with me deeply.  We’re all aware of the physical advantages of exercise, but its psychological benefits are often overlooked. It releases endorphins, our brain’s natural mood elevators, making exercise a kind of natural antidepressant.

But just how effective is exercise compared to medication when it comes to mental health?

A meta-analysis led by Cooney et al. in 2013 drew an intriguing conclusion: exercise can be a potent remedy for depression, with effects similar to antidepressant medication. Equally fascinating, a study by Wipfli, Rethorst, and Landers[^6^] indicated that exercise significantly alleviates symptoms of anxiety.

So why am I so fixated on exercise as a first-line treatment, especially for young boys?

Well, it’s simple. First, physical activity instills healthy lifestyle habits that can protect against various health complications down the line. It improves self-esteem and body image, critical to a young boy’s mental well-being. And let’s not forget the undeniable stress relief and social interaction it provides, especially with team sports.

Now, the important thing here is not to demonize medication. It has its place, and it has proven to be a lifeline for many. But as fans of my work know, I’m always in pursuit of methods that offer broad, systemic benefits with minimal side effects. And here, my friends, exercise outshines medication. It provides lasting benefits that extend far beyond the cessation of an exercise routine, unlike medication whose effects typically wear off once it’s discontinued.

In conclusion, our objective isn’t just to manage symptoms, but to empower boys to grow into healthy, balanced adults. The role of exercise extends beyond immediate relief and instills a habit of wellness that can shape a lifetime. It’s high time we lace up our running shoes before reaching for the prescription pad.

Remember, this is a complex issue, and professional consultation is always key. Exercise should be viewed as a powerful supplement to a treatment plan, not a replacement for professional help when it’s needed.

  1. National Institute of Mental Health – Anxiety Disorders: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/anxiety-disorders/index.shtml
  2. Medical News Today – Exercise vs Medication: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/is-exercise-more-effective-than-medication-for-depression-and-anxiety
  3. Mayo Clinic – Exercise: 7 benefits of regular physical activity: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/exercise/art-20048389
  4. WebMD – Exercise and Depression: https://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/exercise-depression
  5. Cooney et al. – Exercise for depression: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3772979/
  6. Wipfli, Rethorst, Landers – The Anxiolytic Effects of Exercise: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials and Dose-Response Analysis: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18785356/
  7. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Benefits of Physical Activity: https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/pa-health/index.htm
  8. HealthyChildren.org – Physical Activity Improves Quality of Life: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/fitness/Pages/Physical-Activity-Improves-Quality-of-Life.aspx

Do these 3 things and move ahead of 80% of your professional competitors

jessehendonLeave a comment

Success is the compounding of many small efforts that accumulate into a large return. It’s often been said of athletes that have been great for a long time such as Tom Brady, Kobe Bryant and Tiger Woods that they showed up every day and worked. They did the small things, over and over. They were some of the greatest performers in their crafts and they still showed up daily to do the small things. Greatness in the anvils of history belongs to those who repeatedly showed up and performed.

While we may not all be striving for a US Open or the Larry O’Brien trophy, we should all still be striving to get ahead. It’s been my approximation that in life, in order to get ahead of the back and be in the top 20% of performers at the work place, one must do three things. One must be on time, be a pleasure to be around and be good at their job. Notice, I didn’t say great at their job, simply be good. Let’s discuss the why of each of these attributes.

  1. Be On Time – Time is the only resource people will never get back. Money will come and go. Relationships will come and go. Life will have ups and downs and good times and bad. However, time escapes us all. If you disrespect someones time, you are saying that you have no respect for the other persons most precious and valuable resource. This goes for leaders and subordinates, the CEO’s and the Janitors. Titles are meaningless to time, everyone’s time is limited. Respect the time of others and you will immediately step up in the respect category of others.
  2. Be A Pleasure To Be Around – It’s often said that it takes fewer muscles to smile than frown, so don’t stress your face and turn that frown upside down! While that statistic may be a false one, it is a fact that people would rather be surrounded with good vibes than bad. If you bring positive energy with you, people will want to have you around. It can take work, but it’s work that will pay in dividends. Start your meetings with friendly hello, a light conversation that is typically good natured and a positive vibe to set a tone. Be a pleasure to be around and you’ll be more likely to keep moving ahead.
  3. Be good at your job – Yes, good is good enough, but it must be consistent. Do what needs to be done. Do it on time and deliver with a good attitude. If you do the work and provide a good service, consistently, you will be ahead of most. Consistency is hard. Every player in the NBA is good. You have to be to make it to the league. However, most guys in the league have a story of a competitor or teammate in their past, who they were convinced was the most talented player they’ve ever met, who simply didn’t make it because they weren’t consistently showing up and doing their job. If you are consistent and deliver a good product, you will get ahead.

If you combine the three characteristics above, you will be in the top of your class. It took me a long time to bring these things together in my own life. I’ve never had trouble being on time, it’s something I’ve always believed in. Yet, there have been periods in my life and career where I didn’t have a great attitude consistently or I didn’t consistently deliver a good product. It was during these times that I fell behind. However, when I’ve personally combined these characteristics, I’ve grown in my career faster than my counterparts.

Go forth, be timely, be pleasant and be good. I promise the return will be exponential!