{"id":472,"date":"2024-11-20T14:06:14","date_gmt":"2024-11-20T06:06:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vassesc.com\/?p=472"},"modified":"2024-11-20T14:06:15","modified_gmt":"2024-11-20T06:06:15","slug":"how-exercise-can-make-you-happier-the-philosophy-of-the-stoics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vassesc.com\/index.php\/2024\/11\/20\/how-exercise-can-make-you-happier-the-philosophy-of-the-stoics\/","title":{"rendered":"How Exercise Can Make You Happier. The Philosophy of the Stoics."},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Recently, I stumbled back into a philosophy that I enjoyed reading about, which is called stoicism. In particular, the works of the infamous Ryan Holiday of The Daily Stoic and the author of one of the first books I ever bought, \u2018The Obstacle Is the Way\u2019. Stoicism has a way of teaching us that Happiness isn’t something we stumble upon by chance. It\u2019s a state we cultivate through consistent action, reflection, and discipline. In the Stoic philosophy, happiness isn\u2019t about fleeting pleasure but is a deeper sense of contentment that comes from living virtuously. The Stoics outlined four core virtues of Wisdom, Courage, Justice, and Temperance that have the potential to guide all of us to live a fulfilling life. Through this rereading of some of Ryan Holiday’s texts and listening to podcasts more recently, I have realised that these virtues also align perfectly with the transformative power of exercise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this blog post, I will show you how these four virtues of Stoicism explain why exercise isn\u2019t just good for your body and is, in fact, a direct pathway to true happiness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reason #1 \u2013 Wisdom is Knowing What You Can Control<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Stoicism, wisdom is the ability to discern what is within your control and what is not. Exercise teaches this lesson on a practical level. You can\u2019t control the weather, your genetics, or even the weight on the bar some days. However, you can control your effort, consistency, and attitude.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you commit to exercise, you decide to prioritise what\u2019s good for you and exceed your physical potential. The clarity from moving your body, whether during a challenging workout or heavy strength training, spills over into the rest of your life. You start seeing challenges as opportunities and obstacles as lessons. When done regularly, exercise clears the mental fog of the mundane day-to-day and helps you align your actions with what truly matters to you, giving you a sense of control and purpose unmatched by anything else material or pleasure-seeking in nature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reason # 2. Courage is Facing Discomfort<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Stoics valued courage, which is true to my own heart and helps us confront fear and hardship head-on. If you have ever done a workout in a community, you know exercise embodies this virtue. Every time you show up to the gym or lace up your running shoes, you\u2019re choosing to embrace discomfort for the sake of growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That weight in last set of squats, the burning lungs during thrusters and burpees, or sweat in your eyes in that last round of an emom\u2014all require courage to overcome. By actively being willing to face these physical challenges, you strengthen your mental resilience, and your ability to use courage to overcome and destroy fear can transfer into courage in life. It recognises that by overcoming physical discomfort, you make yourself stronger, both physically and mentally, filling you with a sense of accomplishment and pride that is not only extrinsically motivating but can also become extrinsically motivating and make you feel amazed with yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reason # 3. \u2013 Exercise is Doing What\u2019s Right<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Justice in Stoicism isn\u2019t just about fairness. It\u2019s about contributing to the greater good and fulfilling your role in the community. As I write this, I have just started reading Ryan Holiday’s new Book, \u2018Right Thing, Right Now,\u2019 which was the main inspiration for this Blog. Exercise might seem personal, but it has profound ripple effects. For so many aspects of your life, it is hard to overlook the fact that it is just the right thing to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019re better equipped to serve others when you’re fit and healthy. You better serve your family, your friends, and even your broader community and those around you. Whether it\u2019s having the energy to play with your kids, supporting a friend through a tough time, or simply showing up as your best self, your fitness enables you to give more. It shouldn\u2019t be a reason to do anything, but by also knowing you\u2019re contributing positively to those around, you create a deep sense of connection and fulfilment that gives you and the people you care for more of a deep understanding of purpose to this puzzle of obstacles we call life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reason # 4 \u2013 Temperance is Understanding the Practice of Balance<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Temperance is the Stoic virtue of moderation and self-control. It’s funny because, in today’s society, we think of moderation as we do the \u2018sometimes; things, but it never crosses most people’s minds that this also involves healthy and unhealthy things. Its easy for us to be like \u2018you got to let your hair down every once in a while\u2019 but what about those people who also need to be told to \u2018tighten up your bootstraps every once in a while\u2019? Exercise is one of those things in every way. Everybody should let their hair down every once in a while, but we also need to tighten up our boots. Exercise helps us balance effort with recovery, intensity with rest, and even discipline with enjoyment. It\u2019s very easy to swing between extremes. Pushing too hard or not trying at all. Exercise teaches you that consistency and moderation are the keys to long-term success. It also helps you regulate your emotions, as the physical act of moving your body reduces stress and improves mood. But again, in today\u2019s society, it isn\u2019t something most people do regularly, but more likely, they don\u2019t do it at all. By practising self-control and balance in your fitness journey, and a not fitness journey, you cultivate a sense of inner peace and stability that extends to all areas of life. It might only be the circles I’m in that get judged more for wanting to exercise and drink and eat less than those who choose not to exercise and eat and drink more. But the reality is exercising 3-5 times per week for an hour is a temperate effort and is something that, according to the Stoic virtues, does help produce a happier, not only healthier, life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It has become quite popular over the last few years, and people seem to be listening to this stoic philosophy. Understanding that the Stoics believed that living virtuously leads to true happiness, exercise is a powerful way to practice these virtues in daily life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n