In this blog, we dissect the many health benefits of completing a fitness challenge, such as improved mental health, improved sleep and weight management.
This time of year is filled with challenging races, walks, and obstacles courses that you can conquer while raising vital funds for Charlie House.
From the Beast Race that will test your mental toughness, to the challenging yet fulfilling Loch Ness Marathon, the opportunities to fundraising while testing yourself physically are endless. Fitness challenges like this can be the perfect drive to help you reach personal goals, while also providing a great sense of accomplishment as you’ll have raised generous donations that can help Charlie House provide continued support for children with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions and their families.
Yet, it’s not just your chosen charity that can benefit from your immense efforts in conquering an event, as investing time in a training regime or fitness challenge can have incredible health benefits that are both physical and mental, as well as immediate and long-term.
Here are just a few ways in which a fitness challenge can help transform your health…
Improved mental health
Increased physical activity is not only good for your body, but it can also work wonders for your mental well-being. Regular runs outside to prepare for the Great North Run, or frequent cycles in the Aberdeenshire countryside to get ready for Ride the North, can help reduce symptoms of stress and anxiety.
This is partly due to the release of chemicals in your brain caused by exercising, such as endorphins, which can massively help improve your mood!
Healthier habits
Signing up to a fitness challenge can help you maintain an array of healthier habits such as an enhanced, more nutritious diet, better hydration and so much more.
Increasing your physical activity through a training regime can bring a heightened awareness of your body and health, as you’ll be more attuned to how your body feels after working out. As exercise improves your mood you’ll become less likely to crave less nutrient-dense foods, and instead likely want to fuel your body with options that help boost performance.
Making the commitment to fitness fundraising events can give you the extra push needed to cut out habits that have been negatively impacting your health. If you choose to complete a fitness challenge for Charlie House, then it’s likely that you will have many donors counting on you to cross the finish line which can make you increasingly determined to succeed!
A better night’s sleep
By getting into a regular training routine where you’re working out at least a few times per week, you can even benefit from an improved sleeping routine, and you may fall asleep faster and enjoy a much deeper, interrupted sleep, leaving you feeling rejuvenated the next morning.
Tip: Try not to exercise too close to your bedtime, as this can leave you feeling more awake! Instead, listen to your body and see how well you sleep in response to the time of day you workout.
Increased energy levels
Ironically, working out more can lead to increased day-to-day energy levels because you’ll feel more rested after enjoying a deeper night’s sleep. Following a training regime in the lead up to your fitness challenge can also improve your muscle strength and endurance - over time, simple activities that once felt challenging can become a lot easier which will make you feel like you have more energy.
As regular exercise can reduce your stress levels and leave you feeling happier, this again can have a knock-on effect that positively affects your energy levels and people often feel like they can think clearer.
Which fitness challenge will you conquer?
Do you feel like you're in need of making healthier changes to your lifestyle? By completing a fitness challenge for Charlie House, you can reap the health benefits while raising vital funds that can help us support children across North-east Scotland with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions and their families.
To find out more about the range of fitness fundraising opportunities happening near you, and to discover how you can support Charlie House, please click here.
