When we think of exercise, we envision our bodies becoming leaner, fitter, and more muscular. But what about the impact on our most important organ, the brain? We frequently overlook the enormous mental health benefits of exercise, and it is becoming clear that regular exercise and good mental health go hand in hand. Exercise can help with a wide range of issues, from stress and anxiety to mild depression. According to research, increased physical activity of any kind can improve depression symptoms experienced by people of all ages. Regular physical activity has also been shown to lower the risk of depression in both children and adults.

Mental Health and Fitness

Because it affects our day-to-day lives and decision-making processes, mental health is an extremely important aspect of a person’s well-being. Mental health issues have recently gained prominence, and many people have found the courage to speak out about them. These issues were not previously discussed in depth, but people are now more accepting and understanding of these issues and disorders, which include depression, anxiety, ADHD, PTSD, and even extreme stress. People seek therapy or begin taking antidepressants and medication to combat mental health issues.

Exercising your mental health

One way to improve your overall mood and outlook on life is to create a positive link between exercise and mental health. Exercise’s ability to make us feel better both physically and mentally is often seriously undervalued. Hopefully, knowing why it makes such a big difference in our health will encourage you to add more activities to your daily life.

Exercise can make you happier

The good news is that even very little physical activity can significantly lessen anxiety symptoms in adults and older adults. Regular exercise also promotes the release of a number of feel-good brain chemicals, including:

• Endorphins
• Serotonin
• Dopamine
• Norepinephrine
• Adrenaline

You feel happier, more content, and more accomplished after a great workout thanks to these endogenously produced chemicals, which are also natural mood enhancers. Increased levels of those feel-good brain chemicals are the cause of the runner’s high, which you may have heard people refer to.

Exercise helps fight depression

A growing body of evidence suggests that physical activity, and particularly exercise, can have significant effects on brain structure, particularly in areas of the brain vulnerable to depression and schizophrenia. The more subtle therapeutic benefits it offers include increased concentration, a sense of mastery, and even social interaction in some cases. Physical activity, even something as simple as a daily walk, has been shown to have significant positive effects on mental health. The uptick in mood you experience after working out is only temporary (a few hours at most), but the increase in happy hormones in your brain has a positive effect on your mental health over the long term. That’s why physical activity is recommended for people experiencing depression.

Exercise boosts overall brain performance

Exercising is a great way to boost your overall brain power. Cardiovascular exercise has been shown to generate new brain cells. Some ways your brainpower is improved include:

• Sharper memory
• Retaining information
• Preventing cognitive decline
• Increasing creativity

Exercise boosts confidence

When you finish a challenging workout that makes you sweat, it’s hard not to feel like you’ve accomplished something. And engaging in regular physical activity with other people helps to develop a sense of teamwork, which often gives people the impression that they are a part of something that is much larger than themselves. Exercise has the power to significantly improve a person’s perception of their attractiveness, regardless of weight, size, gender, or age.

Best exercises for mental health

Since all forms of exercise help to release feel-good hormones, they all contribute to our overall health. However, due to the emphasis on deep breathing, concentration, and conditioning that is beneficial to both our physical and mental health, aerobic and strength exercises are frequently regarded as effective. Here are some starter suggestions for beneficial exercises and pursuits that can enhance your body and mind:

• Walking/jogging/running
• Yoga
• Weightlifting
• Resistance Training
• Spin Classes
• Martial Arts
• Swimming
• Pilates

There is no doubt that physical activity has positive effects on mental health. The release of proteins, which improve brain function, is stimulated by physical activity, which in turn encourages the growth of nerve cells and the formation of new connections between them. What is the result? It can make you feel better.

While the seasons and the circumstances of our lives may change, our

physically active, just as we would change from shorts to coats or from seasonal summer fruits and vegetables to heartier fall fare. Some of that is simply adapting to conditions: bundling up for a walk, going to the gym, taking up personal training, going swimming, and more. With Stronglife’s best online fitness coaches in Australia, you’ll find a perfect way to stay active. Start building a better you – Get in touch!