Professional soccer player Thomas Hal Robson-Kanu explains to Healthista five ways exercise can help improve our mental health
We all know that exercise is essential to the body, but the benefits to your mental health are just as important.
One in four people in the UK has mental health problems every year, according to some studies almost half of the adults in the US will have a mental health problem during their lifetime.
However, one of the keys to treating these problems could be as simple as getting more exercise.
The mental health benefits of exercise are scientifically and anecdotal
The numerous benefits of exercise for mental health are scientifically and anecdotal. In some cases, exercise can be just as helpful as medication and therapy.
When you start out in a depressed mindset it can be very difficult to motivate yourself, so it’s important to start small.
Some activities are better than none, and you can gradually build up a thorough exercise regimen while taking advantage of the benefits.
Here are five key ways to get your heart pumping that can be beneficial to the way you think….
# 1 An endorphin boost
Put the pills away – exercise can have almost medicinal effects. It is proven to increase the body’s own production of endorphins as well as other “happy” chemicals like dopamine.
Endorphins can also trigger euphoria. When you exercise, there is a chance that you will get a high known as a runner’s high. These benefits can help combat bad moods and low feelings.
Endorphins are a natural pain reliever and are released by your brain and spinal cord.
Doctors will always encourage regular exercise for this reason, but some therapists even believe in trying to increase exercise before resorting to antidepressant medication.
# 2 Increased self-esteem
This is one of the side effects of regular exercise.
Whether your goal is to shed a few pounds, build muscle tone, or just make sure you are not out of breath while climbing stairs, better shape can help you feel better.
Low self-esteem is very closely related to mental health as well Most Americans are dissatisfied with their bodies.
Appearance isn’t the only factor, but it’s a major concern for many people. Our bodies won’t change overnight, which is why it’s so important to exercise regularly.
# 3 Good quality sleep
Sleep and mental health are also closely related. When you sleep poorly, regulating your mood can be more difficult, and we all know we can get irritable after a bad night.
Harvard Health Publishing claims that ‘A good night’s sleep promotes mental and emotional resilience..
This means that every night we don’t sleep well, we reduce our brain’s ability to handle daily challenges.
Exercise can serve as a way to reset your system
So how does exercise help you sleep? Going for a run or spending an hour in the gym not only makes us physically tired, but it has been proven to help us do it regulate our circadian rhythm.
These help to give our days a pattern and to find enough rest in the evening. Even when you are severely out of routine, exercise can serve as a way to reset your system.
Studies have shown that consuming 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity weekly results in a 65 percent improvement in your life Sleep quality. That in turn makes you more mentally robust.
# 4 Better social life
This is an often overlooked way of promoting your mental health – we all have social needs that exercise can be met.
Many people fear staring at a wall for hours while running on a treadmill or using an exercise bike, but that’s not the only way to get the benefits of fitness. Instead, consider joining a running club or playing a team sport.
Consider joining a running club or playing a team sport
There is a clear connection between a bad social life and mental health problems. Are adults with no active social life much more likely to fight with their mental health.
Spending time with others may feel more like an abstract benefit of exercise, but there are many ways that you can turn exercise into a social activity.
Not only is it better for your brain, but it’s also a way to ensure that you are more likely to stick with your exercise regimen.
# 5 Reduced anxiety
The endorphin release discussed earlier can help people who suffer from anxiety.
Releasing happy chemicals is extremely beneficial for feeling anxious, and there are other methods you can use while exercising for more benefits.
Mindful running is one of those techniques. It’s a way to distract yourself from worries and focus on the moment instead of letting your mind wander on the kind of worries that may trigger your anxious thoughts.
If you want to improve your well-being, mental health and general lifestyle through functional nutrition, Thomas Hal Robson canoe suggests trying an energizing, brain fog eliminating, health promoting effect Raw Turmeric Shot from The Turmeric Co.
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