健康的重要性 發現運動中的意義大綱

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.

我們都知道鍛鍊對我們的身體健康很有益處。越來越多的研究正表明，體育活動對我們的心理健康也有很強的影響。如果你曾關注了我的博客，你就會知道我經常性的談論的存在的健康的重要性：人們需要感覺好像他們正過着有意義的生活。體育鍛煉有可能增強我們的身體健康嗎？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，研究已經證實鍛鍊對心情有益處。那些參加體育鍛煉後的人會更開心，有證據表明，運動對緩解抑鬱症有好處（抑鬱症，與慢性消極情緒障礙有關)。事實上，許多科學家認爲，臨牀醫生應考慮處方鍛鍊作爲抑鬱症患者的治療計劃的一部分。更爲重要的是，研究表示，當人們心情好的時候更傾向於認爲他們的生活是有意義的。當你快樂時，更懂得欣賞生活，覺得它是值得的。因此，通過運動可以提升心情，可以轉換意義。

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.

研究同時表明，鍛鍊可以幫助人們抵制焦慮。類似地，許多人通過鍛鍊減少壓力。焦慮和壓力可以威脅身體健康：當人們正處於焦慮和壓力中時，不太可能會感知到生活是有意義的。因此，通過運動可以緩解壓力和焦慮，可以促進身體健康。

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，鍛鍊能夠促進社會聯繫，社會聯繫又促進身體健康。當然，人們經常獨自鍛鍊。然而，一起出去就像社會工作一樣，這也是很常見的。想要建立新的聯繫嗎？嘗試註冊一個瑜伽或旋轉類項目的班，或參加附近的跑步小組、舞蹈班、武術班。或加入當地的成人足球或壘球聯賽。甚至去健身房，每週定期在健身房將會提供一個機會結交新朋友。

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.

最後，調查顯示，鍛鍊可以增強自尊心，自尊心與身體健康有着緊密聯繫。當人們自我感覺很好時，他們也會覺得生活是有意義的。

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，鍛鍊和自尊心之間的關係可能很複雜。例如，研究表明，對女性來說，鍛鍊和自尊之間的關係取決於鍛鍊的動機和個人的態度。如果女性鍛鍊純粹是擔心她們的外表，不滿意他們的身材，那麼鍛鍊可能與低自尊心相關聯。一般來說，如果人們鍛鍊是爲了健康和健身，而不是單單在於完美身材，鍛鍊更有可能是與積極的自尊心相關聯的。

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.

許多運動愛好者們將會告訴你，他們的日常鍛鍊是保持心理和生理健康的重要部分。鍛鍊能調節情緒，幫助人們應對生活中的挑戰。還有更好的理由說明運動能幫助人們追求人生的意義。所以說鍛鍊，對你的健康很有益處。