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Exercise for the Physically Challenged
Research
has shown that exercise is good for our health. Through research it has
also been discovered that a person's overall health is not just linked
to the physical fitness of their body but it is also linked to their
emotional and spiritual fitness as well. Exercise can improve and
sustain all three of the areas involved in overall health, the health of
the body, mind, and inner spirit.
Exercise
can provide the benefits for overall health to everyone, regardless of
the limitations a person may have due to age, morbid obesity, or
physical disabilities. There are exercise programs that have been
developed specifically for older adults and there are programs available
that can help those who are severely overweight to begin exercising to
lose weight and become more fit and healthy. Modified exercise programs
for the physically disabled are especially important in the prevention
of muscle atrophy and further physical disability and also for the
emotional well being of those facing sudden and long term physical
disabilities.
Fear,
sadness, anger, and a feeling of helplessness are understandable when
someone experiences a serious injury or illness that causes a physical
disability. When your world has suddenly been changed by an accident and
may never be quite the same as it was before you were injured, creating
a new life that is limited in some way can be very challenging. However,
that does not mean that good things will never happen for you again or
that you should give up on life. You are not powerless, even though you
may have initially felt as if you were when you were injured or became
ill and are now having to deal with a physical disability. You must take
charge of your health, your overall health, and that begins with finding
a knowledgeable fitness trainer who can help modify any number of
exercises to be included in your fitness program.
If you need
a little inspiration to get you started on taking control over your
health, consider those who were born with physical disabilities or who
suffered severe debilitating injuries and yet never gave up on
themselves, such as Stephen Hawking or Christopher Reeve. These
inspirational males and females, young and old have changed the way
physical disabilities and those coping with them are viewed today.
Although some do not have the use of their legs they permit a physical
therapist to move the legs through several exercises to prevent atrophy
and disfigurement. They also concentrate on building upper body strength
which allows them more independence to get out of bed and into a
wheelchair or standing chair and the ability and independence to do more
things. Others whose physical disability involves the upper body
concentrate on strengthening the lower body to gain more independence
for themselves. You will find these confident, independent, and awe
inspiring people attending college, working in an office or running a
business, and even competing in professional level sports for the
physically challenged like basketball, track and field because of the
independence gained through exercise.
Anyone can
become bogged down by negative emotions whether they have a physical
disability or not. Exercise acts as a counterweight to those negative
emotions before they can become overwhelming; it also causes the body to
produce natural chemicals that regulate the emotions, as well as
positive feelings; it can help you get in touch with your inner self for
a more fulfilling life.
Remember
that emotional and inner spiritual health are just as important as the
highest degree of physical fitness you can achieve, despite any sort of
mental or physical disability, for overall health. Those of us who are
not faced with a physical disability we should take a lesson from those
who are and find ways to exercise for better overall health, adopting
"never give up" attitudes and accomplishing more than a good number of
physically able people ever do.
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