健康的重要性 发现运动中的意义

We all know that exercise is good for our physical health. A growing body of research is revealing that physical activity also has powerful implications for our mental health. If you follow my blog, you know that I regularly discuss the importance of existential health: people need to feel like they are living meaningful lives. Might physical exercise boost our existential health? The research says yes.

我们都知道锻炼对我们的身体健康很有益处。越来越多的研究正表明，体育活动对我们的心理健康也有很强的影响。如果你曾关注了我的博客，你就会知道我经常性的谈论的存在的健康的重要性：人们需要感觉好像他们正过着有意义的生活。体育锻炼有可能增强我们的身体健康吗？研究表明是可以的。

For example, research has established that exercise is good for mood. People are happier after they engage in physical exercise and there is evidence that exercise can help with depression (a disorder related to chronic negative mood). In fact, a number of scientists have argued that clinicians should consider prescribing exercise as part of a treatment plan for patients with depression. Critically, studies have demonstrated that people are more likely to perceive their lives as meaningful when they are in a good mood. When you are happy, it is easier to appreciate life and to feel like it is worthwhile. Thus, by boosting mood, exercise may boost meaning.

例如，研究已经证实锻炼对心情有益处。那些参加体育锻炼后的人会更开心，有证据表明，运动对缓解抑郁症有好处（抑郁症，与慢性消极情绪障碍有关)。事实上，许多科学家认为，临床医生应考虑处方锻炼作为抑郁症患者的治疗计划的一部分。更为重要的是，研究表示，当人们心情好的时候更倾向于认为他们的生活是有意义的。当你快乐时，更懂得欣赏生活，觉得它是值得的。因此，通过运动可以提升心情，可以转换意义。

 Research also suggests that exercise may help people combat anxiety. Similarly, many people use exercise to manage stress. And anxiety and stress can compromise existential health: people are less likely to perceive life as meaningful when they are experiencing anxiety and stress. Thus, by offering relief from stress and anxiety, exercise may promote existential health.

研究同时表明，锻炼可以帮助人们抵制焦虑。类似地，许多人通过锻炼减少压力。焦虑和压力可以威胁身体健康：当人们正处于焦虑和压力中时，不太可能会感知到生活是有意义的。因此，通过运动可以缓解压力和焦虑，可以促进身体健康。

In addition, exercise can promote social bonds and social bonds promote existential health. Of course people often exercise alone. However, it is also quite common for working out to be a social activity. Want to make new connections? Try signing up for a yoga or spin class or finding a local running group. Take dance lessons or martial arts. Or join a local adult soccer or softball league. Even going to the weight room at the gym regularly each week will afford you an opportunity to make new friends.

另外，锻炼能够促进社会联系，社会联系又促进身体健康。当然，人们经常独自锻炼。然而，一起出去就像社会工作一样，这也是很常见的。想要建立新的联系吗？尝试注册一个瑜伽或旋转类项目的班，或参加附近的跑步小组、舞蹈班、武术班。或加入当地的成人足球或垒球联赛。甚至去健身房，每周定期在健身房将会提供一个机会结交新朋友。

Finally, research indicates that exercise can improve self-esteem and self-esteem is highly associated with existential health. When people feel good about themselves, they also feel like their lives are meaningful.

最后，调查显示，锻炼可以增强自尊心，自尊心与身体健康有着紧密联系。当人们自我感觉很好时，他们也会觉得生活是有意义的。

It is worth noting that the relationship between exercise and self-esteem can be complicated. For example, studies suggest that for women the relationship between exercise and self-esteem depends on the motives for exercise and attitudes towards one’s body. If women are exercising purely out of concerns about their physical appearance and they are not satisfied with their bodies, exercise can be associated with low self-esteem. In general, exercise is more likely to be associated with positive self-esteem if people are exercising for health and fitness and not solely to improve body image.

值得注意的是，锻炼和自尊心之间的关系可能很复杂。例如，研究表明，对女性来说，锻炼和自尊之间的关系取决于锻炼的动机和个人的态度。如果女性锻炼纯粹是担心她们的外表，不满意他们的身材，那么锻炼可能与低自尊心相关联。一般来说，如果人们锻炼是为了健康和健身，而不是单单在于完美身材，锻炼更有可能是与积极的自尊心相关联的。

Many exercise enthusiasts will tell you that their daily workouts are a critical part of maintaining their mental health and well-being. Exercise regulates mood and helps people cope with the challenges of life. There are good reasons to also believe that exercise helps people in their quest for meaning in life. So exercise. It is good for your existential health.

许多运动爱好者们将会告诉你，他们的日常锻炼是保持心理和生理健康的重要部分。锻炼能调节情绪，帮助人们应对生活中的挑战。还有更好的理由说明运动能帮助人们追求人生的意义。所以说锻炼，对你的健康很有益处。