As a Personal Trainer there's one comment that I receive from nearly 100% of my clients after our first session together - "I just FEEL so much better". Now I'm not suggesting that my clients are instantly able to run a marathon as a result of a single training session, BUT it is possible to feel more invigorated, focused and motivated in all other aspects of life. THAT is the power of exercise, allow me to explain how...
Ever heard of endorphins before? These are the chemicals that are released by our bodies when we exercise triggering positive feelings and reducing our perception of pain - both emotional and physical - similar to the effects of morphine. Some people even go as far as describing the feeling after a workout as "runners high" due to the feeling of euphoria that they experience. But it doesn't stop there because these feelings often carry over and manifest themselves in an overall more positive and enthusiastic approach to life - ALL as a product of exercise.
So now we've established how and why exercise is your superpower. Lets get a little more specific... Research shows that any form of exercise leads to the release of endorphins and the positive feelings associated with them, however the more intense the exercise the greater the effect. High intensity interval training and heavy weight training appear to have the most significant impact on mood and I can personally vouch for this. It could very well be that I need to get out more, but to me there's no feeling like the one I get after spending for 45 minutes to an hour literally moving heavy objects out of the way in order to achieve my goals.
So by all means do whatever you enjoy the most, but my advice would be to do at least some form of resistance exercise. 3 sets of 8-12 repetitions of exercises that involve big muscles and multiple joints such as back squats, deadlifts and bench press would be a great starting point. Be careful not to overdo it at the beginning (like I and so many other have done), otherwise while you may be feeling fantastic on the inside, the objective isn't to render yourself immobile for the next few days. If you're unsure then I would recommend getting a trainer to help you design a program that works for you.
You've probably heard this before, but low self-esteem is the single most common reason people do not pursue theirs dreams and aspirations, therefore barring them from success in both their careers and personal lives. But what if that didn't have to be the case? What if you could feel stronger, more confident and self-assured? Well you absolutely can - and maybe just maybe exercise holds key for you.