If you’re feeling particularly stressed or anxious during this period of uncertainty, it can be challenging to motivate yourself to do some form of daily exercise. However, exercising regularly can be extremely beneficial for not only your physical health but also for your mental wellbeing. The mental health benefits of exercise include, but are not limited to:
Easing symptoms of anxiety
Exercise is an extremely effective natural treatment for anxiety. It relieves feelings of tension, boosts your mental and physical energy levels and improves your overall wellbeing by releasing endorphins. Moving your body in any way can be hugely beneficial for easing any symptoms of anxiety. Still, it can be even more effective for you to pay attention to the exercise that you are engaging in rather than zoning out. If you try and notice the rhythm of your breathing, feel the sensation of your feet hitting the ground or the wind hitting your face, you can use this element of mindfulness to distract yourself from any negative thoughts you might be having.
Reduce symptoms of depression
Exercise can also be a powerful tool for people who suffer from depression for several reasons. Most importantly, it can lead to positive physiological changes in the brain. It can reduce inflammation, promote neural growth, and form new activity patterns that can ignite feelings of calm while releasing ‘feel-good’ hormones like endorphins. Exercise can also serve as a break in the cycle of negative thoughts that you may be experiencing to prevent them from feeding your depression.
Reduce stress
One of the most effective mental health benefits of exercise is that it can serve as a stress reliever. Increasing your heart rate can reverse any brain damage that may have occurred as a result of stress by producing the neurohormone, norepinephrine, which can not only improve your mood and cognition but can also help to clear your mind that may start to feel foggy as a result of stress. Exercise can also force the body’s sympathetic and central nervous systems to communicate more effectively with one another, helping to improve the body’s response to stress.
