Your mental health is just as, or in some circumstances even more, important than your physical health. Although we are constantly bombarded by personal advice or medical articles regarding how we can improve our physical health, there are abundant methods you should use to assist your medical health. Most interestingly, there is a way that you can knock both matters out at the same time. All you have to do is comprehend that your mental health can be enriched when you exercise.
So, you aren’t only furthering your muscles or cardiovascular health, you’re also relieving stress, improving confidence, boosting chemical happiness, and more! Read on to learn more about how exercise can help your mental health.
Release Those Endorphins
It isn’t all theory. Science has studied how exercising releases endorphins, chemicals that create feelings of happiness and euphoria. Those who are clinically depressed or have anxiety can even alleviate symptoms through exercise. You don’t even have to hit the gym everyday to benefit from the effects. Thirty minutes of exercise a couple times a week can considerably boost your mood.
Have Some Fun Outside
Enjoy some time in the beautiful outdoors, not just for the great scenery, but also to soak up some Vitamin D. Soaking up the sun (while wearing sunscreen) can decrease your risk of depression. So, try fitting in a jog, outdoor yoga, or bike ride the next time you exercise.
Keep Your Mind Moving
Studies have demonstrated how cardiovascular exercise can actually create new brain cells. So maybe that’s why your athletic friends still seem to do well in school even though they spend an hour at they gym instead of the library. In fact, exercise even helps with decision making, higher thinking, and learning by boosting brain derived protein.
Decrease Stress Levels
You may already understand that stress levels decline when you exercise. In fact, you might have experienced it yourself before. Nevertheless, that’s not all just in your head. Exercise stimulates concentrations of norepinephrine, moderating your brain’s natural response to stress.
Improve Confidence
Have you ever looked in the mirror and felt exceptionally confident in who you are? That’s the feeling you’ll get with steady exercise. You’ll look and, most importantly, feel confident. Exercise assists in building your self-esteem and self-image. Give yourself some self-love.
Exercise For Your Future
As you get older, your brain’s function commences to take an unfortunate regression. Degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s impede the brain, your memory, and learning ability. And though exercise is not a cure-all for cognitive weakening, it is a way to support your hippocampus, the part of the brain for memory and learning. Plus, it’s never too early to plan. You begin to lose brain function as early as 45. So, if you’re aged 25 to 45, exercise could be essential.
If you want to take charge of your mental and physical health, then you may want to start with exercise. But, if you are experiencing serious mental health issues, relationship problems, or other internal struggles you may want to enlist the help of a qualified professional. Employing the help of therapy from a local counselor is vital when dealing with your health.
Be sure and consult your physician before starting a new exercise program.