It isn’t unknown that exercise is good for our bodies. However, people tend to forget all of the non-physical benefits that come along with regular exercise. Not only can you improve your physical health, but you can significantly boost your mental health. Exercising regularly can have a profoundly positive impact on depression, anxiety, ADHD, and more.
What are the mental health benefits of exercise?
Exercising isn’t all about improving your stamina or gaining muscle. Of course when thinking about it, most people associate exercise with physical health, but there’s much more to it than that. While a trimmed waist line or an improved sex life might sound like great incentives, that’s not what motivates most people to stay active.
When people stick to a workout regimen, the biggest motivating factor comes from and incredible sense of well-being. After making exercise part of their routine, many find that they have more energy throughout the day, feel mentally balanced, sleep better, and have improved memory. Not only can you feel better physically, but exercising can drastically improve your mental well-being.
Battling Depression
If you were told you could treat your depression without taking prescription medications wouldn’t you be thrilled?! In many cases, studies show that exercise can aid in treating mild to moderate depression as effectively as prescription medication. This approach also has no side effects, except maybe some sore muscles after a more intense workout. No only can exercise help with symptoms of depression, but maintaining a routine that incorporates exercise will prevent you from relapsing, something that tends to be riskier when you depend on medication.
Relieving Anxiety and Stress
Exercise naturally relieves tension and stress in the body and works as a kind of holistic anti-anxiety treatment. When your body is under stress, it often manifests with physical symptoms such as headaches, stomach aches, frequent urination, muscle tension, among other things. This can lead to a cycle that becomes increasingly difficult to break. Anxiety and stress are often intertwined and exercising is a great way to attack your symptoms head-on. Through the release of endorphins, you’ll find your physical and mental energy increasing and see in improvement in your overall well-being. The human mind and body are intrinsically connected and what affects you mentally can transform into physical distress. The same can be said for the opposite, so when your body feels good, your mind will follow suit.