You have probably heard it a million times, to be happy and healthy, you need to exercise. Well, the reason you have heard it so much, is that it's true! Exercise is a great way to boost your mental health and I am here to tell you how.
So, I've done some research so you don't have to! :)
How does exercise help us mentally?
First off, exercise reduces stress. If you are ever feeling stressed, take a walk, or have a quick workout session. It helps you by releasing a chemical called norepinephrine, which helps the brain respond to stress. So doing any type of exercise, quick, slow, long, or short, will help your body deal with stress.
Another way that exercise helps is that it released endorphins! Endorphins are what cause feelings of happiness. For people struggling with anxiety and depression, exercise can, in some cases, alleviate symptoms. Even if you aren't able to do much, just 30 minutes of exercise can boost your mood.
Exercise also can improve your self-esteem. Doing even the most basic exercises for a short period can help to improve your self-image.
Better sleep is another benefit of exercise. So, if you are having trouble sleeping, try to exercise during the day. There is a calming effect that exercise has on the body, by increasing the body's temperature. It also helps regulate your circadian rhythm, which is our body's clock that controls when we feel awake or tired.
It also boosts your brainpower. Cardiovascular exercise creates new brain cells (neurogenesis) and improves the overall performance of the brain. Exercise also prevents cognitive decline and memory loss by strengthening the hippocampus, which is responsible for memory and learning. It can also boost creativity and mental energy. So if you have a creative block, do some light exercises.
Another benefit is for addicts. During exercise, the chemical dopamine is released. Some people become addicted to things that produce dopamine, like drugs and alcohol. Exercise becomes another way to get dopamine boosts and also works as a way to distract from the craving, for short periods.
If you are feeling low on energy, exercise is also shown to make you more productive and have more energy.
***Here's a tip: If you are able, exercise outside to get even better effects, by increasing vitamin D, which lessens depressive symptoms!
If you think you would like to try working out and getting in some exercise, try having a friend come along with you. Be an inspiration to them for wanting to better your life and have someone there to help with accountability.
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