A lot of us think physical exercise is just to maintain and make sure that our health and wellness is on point. However, that’s not the case at all. Maybe you’re not going to be as happy as you were when you were a kid playing in the mud but I can promise you that you definitely do feel a sense of happiness and accomplishment after each workout you complete.
The extent to which exercise impacts your mental health is too underrated. Some people start their day off with some sort of activity or exercise. Why do you think they do that? Let’s see!
No.1 – Reduced Stress
Exercise can reduce mental and physical stress to a huge extent. Going to the gym or even working out at home can release certain stress chemicals and help the brain moderate stress.
No.2 – Increased Happiness
When you exercise the body releases certain hormones called endorphins or happy hormones that act in a similar manner when you compare how your brain’s neurotransmitters respond to painkillers. These endorphins are released naturally and are shown to reduce feelings of depression, anxiety and increase feelings of “euphoria” post workout.
No.3 – Increased Self Confidence
I’m sure you’ve heard of the saying “Look good, feel good”. Well, that does hold true. Being more confident in a gym environment has also been seen to carry over to other aspects of your life as well, like your career and personal life.
How does this happen? You’ll be improving your self image without even realizing it and over a period of time, your perception of self-worth is sure to have increased as well.
No.4 – Better Sleep
Since your body needs to recover from exercise, the brain makes you feel more tired earlier and helps you sleep well throughout the night. Our bodies recover from all the wear and tear throughout the day during your sleep. And keep in mind that without good sleep you’re not likely to make much progress in your quest for fitness.
No.5 – Increased Cognitive Function
As we age our functions tend to decline in terms of performance. However, those who exercise regularly at any age could affect the part of the brain that acts on memory and improve its function. This may also hold true for our ability to learn.
No.6 – Alleviate Anxiety
Regular exercise can reduce anxiety to a huge extent. The endorphins released during exercise has been shown to work better than a bubble bath and on the same level as a Swedish massage. It gives your mind something else to focus on like maintaining steady breathing or keeping good form which drives your mind away from feelings of anxiety.
These are only a few mental health benefits of exercise. There’s so much more to it and that’s for you to experience. Give it a chance and see for yourself!
