Exercise is one of the best ways to improve your mental health. It's as simple as that. But what does it mean to exercise for mental health? What are some specific benefits? And how do you do it? In this post, I'll discuss some of the best ways to get started on an exercise program and share tips for making it fit into your busy schedule.
Exercise has long been considered one of the best ways to improve mental health.
Exercise has long been considered one of the best ways to improve mental health. Studies have shown that physical activity can help you process emotions, relieve stress and anxiety, increase self-esteem, and even give you a sense of control over life.
Physical activity has also been shown to improve mental health in other ways:
● Physical exercise releases endorphins which act as natural painkillers and make us feel good about ourselves.
● People who engage in regular physical activity tend to sleep better at night because they're tired out from their workouts! (This is especially true if you work out first thing in the morning before work.)
Furthermore, research suggests that there are immediate benefits from exercising--you don't have to wait days or weeks before noticing improvements in mood or energy levels; rather, these effects may be felt within minutes after beginning an exercise routine!
Exercise can help you process emotions and relieve stress.
The benefits of exercise for mental health are numerous. Exercise can help you process emotions and relieve stress, making it easier to sleep better at night. In addition to these physical effects, exercise also increases your ability to feel positive emotions like joy and excitement--and decreases the likelihood that you'll experience negative feelings like anxiety or depression.
Exercise can give you a sense of control.
Exercise is one of the best ways to improve your sense of control. The more you exercise, the more control you feel over your life and its circumstances. Studies have shown that physical activity can help relieve stress and anxiety by boosting endorphins (feel-good hormones) in the body--and this may be especially true for people with mental health conditions like depression or anxiety disorders.
The sense of empowerment felt from working out can motivate us to stick with our fitness plan long enough to see real results--which can lead us down an exciting path toward better overall health!
The effects of exercise can last longer than you think.
The effects of exercise can last longer than you think.
In a study published in the journal PLOS One, researchers found that the benefits of exercise can last up to two days after your workout. In other words, if you go for a run on Monday morning and feel happier as a result, this feeling will likely continue until Wednesday morning--and maybe even longer! A separate study published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise found that people who engage in regular aerobic activity experience improvements in their moods over time; after four months of working out three times per week (30 minutes at 70% max heart rate), participants reported fewer symptoms of depression compared with those who didn't exercise regularly during this period.
Another reason exercising may improve your mental health is because it helps increase levels of brain chemicals like serotonin and dopamine--chemicals known for making us feel happy! If this sounds too good to be true (or like something only reserved for celebrities), consider this: According to one report from Harvard Medical School researchers, people who work out every single day have been shown not only lower risk factors for disease but also greater overall well being than those who don't hit up cycle class every weekend."
There are simple ways to add more activity to your day.
You can incorporate more physical activity into your day by taking the stairs instead of the elevator, walking to work, parking farther away from the store, and walking during lunch break or after dinner. Setting up a standing desk can also help you get moving throughout the day.
If you're looking for more ways to improve your mental health through exercise, check out these resources:
- Fitness: The Complete Guide - The Best Exercises for Mental Health
- How to Get Started With Exercising for Mental Health
You don't have to join an organized group exercise program to reap the benefits of physical activity.
You don't have to join an organized group exercise program to reap the benefits of physical activity. You can do it alone or with others, at any time and even in your busy schedule.
Here are some simple ways you can add more activity to your day:
Even if you're not suffering from a mental health condition, exercise can help improve your mood and overall well-being. It's been proven to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression by releasing endorphins in the body (feel-good hormones)-Healthline: How Much Exercise Do You Need? -National Institutes of Health: Physical Activity for Mental Health.
-National Institutes of Health: Physical Activity and Mental Health. -American Psychological Association: How to Reduce Stress with Exercise.
It's never too late to start exercising!
Whether you're just beginning your journey or have been exercising for a while but want to amp up your routine, here are some tips for how to get started:
● Start small. Don't worry about setting lofty goals--just get moving! If walking around the block once a day feels like enough exercise, then do that first. Then build up from there as long as it feels good and right for you at this time in your life.
● Take baby steps toward more challenging activities if possible; otherwise, stick with what works best now so that momentum doesn't stall out before it even gets started (which can easily happen when starting an exercise regimen).
● Walk around the block during your lunch break or before you go home for the day.
● Take the stairs instead of an elevator.
● Play with your kids or grandkids; instead of watching them play independently.
● Get A buddy. Having a friend to exercise with can help you stay motivated and focused on your goals. Try scheduling regular workouts together and encourage each other to stick with them!
Conclusion
So, if you're struggling with depression or another mental health disorder, there's no reason not to get moving. Exercise can be a great way to improve your mood and boost your overall well-being. And even if you aren't feeling depressed, it still pays off in many ways--both physically and mentally. So what are you waiting for? Get out there today!
