HIS & HERS TAKES A LOOK AT THE DANGERS OF OVER-EXERCISING AND HOW YOU CAN ENSURE THAT YOU CHOOSE ACTIVITIES THAT BOOST YOUR HEALTH & WELLBEING.

Nowadays you can’t open a magazine without reading about the importance of maintaining a sportive activity. Indeed, the sedentary lifestyle of the office worker is the primary cause of severe health conditions, from heart diseases to diabetes, without mentioning mental health issues as a result as prolonged exposure to a stressful environment. In short, office jobs kill more and more people every year. Leading an active lifestyle can be your sole saviour when you are stuck 10 to 12 hours a day on a chair. But sport isn’t a miracle recipe that can bring your health back. If you’re not careful, it can also take it away!

Good for your mental health but what about the physical side of things?

Practiced in the appropriate circumstances and the best-suited frequency for your fitness level, sport can be hugely beneficial for both your physical and your mental health situations. By keeping the body moving, it ensures that blood, oxygen and hormones circulate through, maintaining all essential functions. Additionally, sport can significantly help you to improve your mood, especially at the end of a hard day. Engaging in physical activities can trigger the release of chemicals linked with happiness and mood boost. Besides, keeping on top of your fitness regime can help you to boost your self-confidence, and to practise leadership skills if you’re part of a team.

But you can have too much of a good thing. And as sport can be addictive, it’s important to be aware of the risks.

Minor complaints that go away easily

Sport is not risk-free. You can find yourself hurt at the end of a training session or a game, especially if you’ve not taken precautions. Bruises, scalds, or even athlete’s foot – which you can catch in a moist changing room – can be some of the small complaints you can struggle with. Admittedly, while the NHS minor ailments service is available from pharmacies around the UK, you can find treatments relatively easily and rapidly. However, if you tend to overtrain, your body might be too weak to fight off even the most common of issues.

Injuries that kill your motivation

So, you’ve decided to train for the next London marathon, and nothing is going to take your eyes off that goal. While it is honourable, you need to learn to take breaks. Injuries are more likely to occur if you force your body through workouts without sufficient prep time. From a strained back to the infamous runner’s knee, most injuries can be avoided if you listen to your body.

Don’t let your boost get the best of you

Pre-workout supplements are thoughts to make your body stronger. In reality, they work as a stimulant that makes you feel energised. Your strength, however, is left unchanged. It’s important to remember that pre-workout supplements can affect your health. The caffeine content exceeds the recommended levels. Additionally, supplements may not be the best solution to improve your athletic performance. In fact, the energising effect can be harmful to your heart.

In conclusion, as with most things, sport is beneficial in a controlled environment. However, excessive behaviours can strain your immune system, your muscles and your heart.

We’re very proud to bring you this feature in association with Rosemount Pharmacy. For similar articles, please pay a visit to our lifestyle page.