Exercise contributes to the overall well being
When feeling depressed, we sleep it off or take anti-depressants. If we’re losing our memory, such as where we placed our keys, we just aimlessly keep searching.
If an anxiety attack occurs, we take a pill to eliminate it. If we don’t concentrate and stay focused, we think we have no control over it. We alleviate a bad night’s sleep through sleeping pills.
Taking pills, sleeping off problems, and thinking we have no control is not the answer.
Exercise contributes to the overall well being of our mental health leading to a sound mind.
Let’s see how exercise aids in mental health and take a look at the benefits of exercise and what it does to our mind.
EXERCISE TREATS DEPRESSION
Exercise works equally well as an antidepressant to treat depression without the negative side effects.
Exercise promotes several types of changes in brain activity that create feelings of calm and well-being for a sound mind.
It actively releases powerful chemicals in your brain called endorphins that make you feel elated and full of positive energy.
Exercise also places us in a quiet space to prevent us from thinking about negative thoughts that feed depression.
Just a short walk in the sun boosts our mood and makes us want to walk longer so that feeling of happiness remains (“The Mental Health Benefits of Exercise,” Help Guide).
EXERCISE IMPROVES MEMORY
Simple and light exercise, such as slowly pedaling on an exercise bike, can boost memory in as little as 10 minutes.
Any light workout heightens the activity of the hippocampus, which is a structure in the brain that plays an important role in remembering events and facts.
After a light exercise, stronger connections exist between the hippocampus and cerebral cortex, which promotes very detailed memory processing (“Study Suggests Light Exercise Helps Memory,” 2018).
EXERCISE REDUCES ANXIETY
Exercising regularly improves chronic anxiety and can possibly decrease the severity and frequency of panic attacks.
Consistent social interaction during exercise promotes inclusiveness and feelings of calm.
Exercising consistently releases the ‘feel good’ neurotransmitters in the brain that include endorphins, norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine.
People with chronic anxiety tend to exercise strenuously to distract themselves and improve their symptoms.
Strength training coupled with aerobic exercise alleviate anxiety when performed regularly.
The exercise benefits in this case closely align with relaxation and meditation, which promotes mental health.
An exercise program lasting at least 20 to 30 minutes immensely reduces anxiety.
People who are more prone to panic attacks should walk or jog consistently for around 4 miles, 3 times a week to decrease the frequency and severity of panic attacks (“How Exercise Reduces Anxiety,” 2018).
EXERCISE SHARPENS FOCUS
Exercising regularly is powerful in sharpening the mind’s ability to focus on whatever the person wants.
In the short term, exercise improves your brain’s ability to focus between 2 to 3 hours.
You should exercise in the morning before work to start off your day with a laser focus and optimal concentration to increase productivity.
Exercising in the long term is known to deter Alzheimer’s and slow down the aging process of the brain (“6 Ways Exercise Makes You Smarter,” 2012).
EXERCISE IMPROVES SLEEP
Exercise wears you out quickly, allowing you to fall asleep fast and wake up rejuvenated. Performing aerobic exercises on a regular basis, such as light walking or riding a bike, for at least 10 minutes can drastically improve sleep quality.
Consistent exercise can decrease the risk for developing future sleep disorders such as sleep apnea.
Exercise reduces stress and increases the amount of time you sleep. Exercising outdoors is beneficial because you allow your body to absorb sunlight during the daytime.
If you exercise in the morning or afternoon, you can reset your sleep/wake cycle by slightly increasing your body temperature.
then making it drop to cause you to want to sleep a few hours later (“A Good Workout Can Help You Get Great Shut-Eye,” The National Sleep Foundation).
temperature and then making it drop to cause you to want to sleep a few hours later (“A Good Workout Can Help You Get Great Shut-Eye,” The National Sleep Foundation).
Exercise poses many health benefits that promote mental health and a sound mind.
You can treat depression with exercise, which is just as effective as anti-depressants without the side effects.
Memory power is boosted after you exercise for only 10 minutes. Panic attacks and anxiety are greatly reduced with consistent exercise that releases the ‘feel good’ neurotransmitters.
Exercise sharpens the brain’s ability to focus and slow down the brain’s aging process and deter Alzheimer’s.
You can improve sleep quality and duration through exercise and prevent future sleep disorders. So let’s exercise together, NOW!
