Let’s face it: 2020 was a hard year for everyone & 2021 hasn’t been much better.
We’re all experiencing stressors and anxiety in new ways, and doing our best to just take it one day at a time. But what if we told you adding exercise to your lifestyle could actually help you cope with the hard times better than your Netflix binge schedule and your Tiktok addiction ever will? Here are the top five ways physical activity will help improve your mental health and overall wellness.
Boost Your Mood
Exercise is a scientifically proven mood booster that helps decrease symptoms of both depression and anxiety. Physical activity kicks up endorphin levels, giving you that “feel good” feeling. Even just moderate exercise throughout the week can improve depression and anxiety, so much so that some doctors recommend trying out an exercise regimen for these conditions before turning to medication.
Reduce Your Stress
Increasing your heart rate can actually reverse stress-induced brain damage, improve cognition and mood, and improve thinking clouded by stressful events. Exercise also forces the body’s central and sympathetic nervous systems to communicate with one another, improving the body’s overall ability to respond to stress.
Level Up Self-Esteem
From improving endurance to losing weight and increasing muscle tone, there’s no shortage of physical achievements that come about from regular exercise. All those achievements can all add up to a big boost of self-esteem—and the confidence that comes with it. It’s just one of the many benefits of physical activity that boost your body, mind, and spirit.
Sleep Better
If you have trouble getting a good night’s sleep, exercise can help with that, too. Physical activity increases body temperature (which can have calming effects on the mind) and helps regulate your circadian rhythm. So if more sleep is what you need, burn those calories and catch those Zs.
Grow That Brain
From building intelligence to strengthening memory, exercise boosts brain power in a number of ways. Studies on mice and humans indicate that cardiovascular exercise creates new brain cells and improves overall brain performance. It also prevents cognitive decline and memory loss, while boosting creativity and mental energy. So if you’re in need of inspiration, your big idea could be just a walk or jog away.
Ready to dive deeper? We’re here to help facilitate a holistic approach to your health and wellness. Give us a call to schedule your consultation today!
Written by: Katy Swihart (@_katyeileen)
