Did you know exercise is just as beneficial for your mental health as it is for your physical health? Too often, exercise is associated with physical health only, however, it has excellent benefits for your mental health such as reducing anxiety, elevating mood and relieving trauma.
Here are the 5 benefits of exercise on your mental health:
It helps combat depression and anxiety
Did you know exercise is considered as good as antidepressants in some cases? Approximately every 1 in 10 people suffer from depression in the US and some are prescribed antidepressants; however, it is also encouraged to add physical exercise to their routines. When you exercise, your body releases “endorphins” which are also known as “feel-good chemicals”. Even adding moderate workouts to your weekly routine can have a great impact on your depression and feeling of anxiety.
Reduced stress
When you exercise regularly your body’s sympathetic nervous systems and central nervous system collaborate better with each other and in conclusion, it helps you deal with stress in a much better way. Exercise is associated with reduced stress levels as it pumps endorphins and helps you feel happier.
Improved mood
Working out regularly has proven to be beneficial in elevating moods as well as coping with self-esteem issues. An inactive person is more likely to face consequences of mental illnesses than a person who regularly includes movement in their routine. Hormones in your brain such as serotonin and endorphin are linked with exercising and elevating mood that make you feel better.
Sound sleep
A sound sleep of 6-8 hours is essential for every human to function properly. For people who experience insomnia or sleep issues in general, adding exercises to the daily routine is recommended by health professionals. Exercising regularly has a lot of effects on our body such as a healthy heart rate, and elevated body temperature, which then helps you sleep better at night.
Strong memory
Exercising regularly has proven benefits in improving brain capabilities and intelligence. Working out regularly helps in reducing stress, elevating mood, and having a calm sleep at night which has a significant impact on the memory. As per several studies, the part of the brain that is responsible for memory in people who exercise is relatively larger than in those who do not.
