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There have been enough studies and research done in the past that we don’t need to be reminded of how exercise can improve our physical health.
What has been less discussed, however, and what author Christina Hibbert explores in her book is the effect of exercise on a person’s mental health. As it turns out, there are more benefits to exercising than simply getting into shape.
Exercise can improve mental health because it:
- Reduces stress levels
Physical activity sends endorphins, hormones that trigger positive, happy emotions, through your body. To best reduce your stress levels, you should find the source of your stress and target it directly. Adding relaxation exercises to your workout – like yoga or tai chi – can also help.
- Reduces symptoms of depression
Similar to how it sends endorphins through the body, exercise also increases the levels of the chemicals serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. A common symptom of depression is having low levels of these three chemicals in the body, but completing long, high intensity workouts can combat this.
- Lowers anxiety level
Exercising helps decrease the physical tension of muscles in your body which, in turn, lowers blood pressure and heart rate. All of this helps reduce your mental anxiety and allows your body to become more relaxed.
- Improves bad moods
Going out and engaging in a physical activity can also lift a bad mood because the movement improves mental clarity and efficiency, on top of reducing tension and sending positive chemicals and hormones through your body.
- Boosts self-esteem
Exercising helps improve your physical fitness. However, the effect of building up your body strength and your confidence in your body’s ability to engage in physical activities also boosts your self esteem.
- Helps avoid cognitive decline
Engaging in physical activity naturally increases your body’s need for oxygen. This increased oxygen flow travels through your body and your brain, decreasing the loss of brain cells and promoting cognitive activity. Regularly exercising can help improve your ability to focus, plan, and think critically.
- Strengthens relationships
Exercising with another person – whether they’re a partner, friend, or family member – can help improve your communication with them. When two people exercise together, they promote a sense of teamwork between them, which then carries out to other situations that don’t call for physical activity.
- Allows us to better handle difficult emotions
Regular physical activity constantly boosts the endorphin and serotonin levels in your body. Just as these hormones and chemicals help diffuse stress and tension, they can also better support your mental health by helping you deal with grief, loss, fear, or heartache. Exercising can also help your mind process these emotions and focus your attention elsewhere.
For more detailed information, check out Hibbert’s book, 8 Keys to Mental Health Through Exercise
