Exercise Identity

Does exercise have an impact on our identity? Do we change as a person depending on what physical activity we do? Does exercise allow us to express our truest self?

The topic this week is about how exercise impacts our sense of self. What fascinates me is how over the years that I've been practicing the various forms of martial arts, it has led me to adopt certain perceptions of myself. It has impacted my general sense of who I am. But what's more interesting is not only how it has impacted my sense of identity over that time, but how it affects it in the immediate. Have you ever noticed, directly after a workout or training session, your entire sense of self has morphed somehow?

Have You Noticed This About Exercise and Emotion?

Exercise and emotion have such a profound effect on one another. We know that exercise can impact our mood, generally for the better. On the flip side, our mood effects our exercise practice. Not just our motivation, but the level of intensity, the power, our endurance and stamina and our overall performance in that sport and activity.

Out of my fascination of this topic, I thought I would reflect on how exactly exercise and emotion influence one another and share these thoughts with you.