How Exercise Enhances Mental Health
While the physical benefits of exercise are often touted, its positive impact on our mental health cannot be understated. Regular physical activity not only supports mood, anxiety and overall mental health but significantly reduces the symptoms of all forms of depression. Learning about how exercise affects our mood can push people to try and add more movement in their daily life.
Endorphins, released through regular exercise are integral to the mental health benefits of working out. Endorphins are neurotransmitters of the body, known as “feel-good” hormones that give a natural high to everyone who exercises. Working out triggers the release of endorphins, chemicals that create a feeling of happiness and euphoria — also known as “runner’s high. It is to these properties that it owes its mood-enhancing effects, which can help you fight depression and anxiety — as such finding a good place in the toolbox for mental health management.
Exercise can be a very powerful stress reliever as well. You see, one of the reasons why cortisol is so high in your body when you are under stress because we not utilizing it properly and physical activity does that helps to reduce these hormones. Exercising on a regular basis can help individuals decrease their stress enough to face what life offers with a clear state of mind. Lessening the stress factor helps to get higher quality sleep which will lead to better mental health.
Plus, many times exercise includes a social aspect such as going bowling with friends or partaking in group fitness classes. These social scripts help us in creating personal connections and feelings of belonging—both necessary for emotional well-being. People dealing with mental health issues can benefit from a supportive community.
On the other hand, working out and completing fitness goals can also contribute to higher levels of self-esteem and confidence as well. Finishing a workout or achieving that personal best will give you an achievement (huge xmas) coupon and thus improve your self-esteem in general life with the world! However, as people experience these wins it can translate into making tackling other smaller challenges more manageable out side of health.
In conclusion, exercise helps to maintain physical health and mental well-being in four ways: endorphins being released reduces stress social support encourages better self-esteem By integrating physical activity into daily habits, an active lifestyle opens the mind to so much health and life fulfillment. From taking a walk, doing yoga or going to any type of sport where you can connect with people and have fun is likely leadinng to great mental health benefits.
