It’s a well-known fact that physical activity can benefit our health in many ways, but did you know that exercise can impact your mental well-being, too? It’s true; there is a strong connection between mind and body, and exercise can have a positive effect on your mental health. In this article, we’ll explore how physical activity can influence our state of mind and how we can use it to our advantage.
1. Exploring the Link Between Exercise and Mental Health
Physical exercise has long been known to have tremendous physical health benefits but there has recently been a greater emphasis placed on its ability to improve our mental well-being. Exercise can be an invaluable tool to help us cope with feelings of depression, anxiety, stress and other mental health issues.
This link is often attributed to the physical impacts of exercise: As we move our body, our heart rate increases and our body releases endorphins which give us a feeling of euphoria and alertness. This helps us to reduce feelings of stress and improves our overall mood and concentration.
- Reduction of stress: Exercise encourages more positive thinking and a relaxed state of mind.
- Improved focus: Regular exercise helps us to stay alert and better focused on tasks.
- Better sleep: Exercise helps to increase the quality of deepest stage of sleep making us feel more rested and energised.
Science has even shown that regular exercise can increase our ability to learn and even lower our risk of developing Alzheimer’s later in life. Mental health can often feel like something that is out of our control, but it’s important to remember that we can use exercise to our advantage by making it part of our routine and, with a little time and effort, get back to feeling our best!
2. The Benefits of Exercising for Mental Wellbeing
Exercising is not just good for our physical wellness, but also our mental wellbeing too. It can help to reduce stress, anxiety, and improve mood. Here are two main benefits of exercising to your mental wellbeing:
- Boosts Confidence and Self-Esteem – Exercise can help build a strong self-image, by changing how you view your physical appearance. Regular physical activity can help shape your healthy body, strengthen muscles, and burn fat. It feels good to take pride in our body, and this boosts our confidence, self-esteem, and motivation.
- Improves Sleep Patterns – After a good workout, our energy is often high in the evening, and this frequently interferes with falling asleep. Physical activity can boost a person’s energy levels throughout the day, providing the body with more energy to physically exercise with, but draining it enough that it can relax at night.
Exercising also releases serotonin (the happy hormone) into the bloodstream, which can help alleviate depression and anxiety. The physical activity is healthy for the person’s psychological mindset because it can boost energy and promote relaxation. This helps create a better feeling of wellbeing and emotional stability.
It can also be beneficial to join a fitness group or class, as it promotes social connection and provides additional motivation. This can further improve overall well-being, and even increase happiness.
3. Exploring Ways to Incorporate Exercise into Your Mental Health Routine
When it comes to keeping our mental health in balance, exercise can play an important role. Not only does it provide physical benefits, but it can also massively increase energy levels, create a sense of positivity, and improve sleep. Here we explore some of the ways to incorporate exercise into your mental health routine.
Finding the Right Exercise
First up, take time thinking about what type of exercise works best for you. There are many activities to choose from. For example, do you prefer outdoor activities like running or swimming? Or conversely are you more comfortable indoors doing yoga or lifting weights? Once you find the type of exercise that works giving you regular bursts of positive energy proceed to the next step!
Pencil in Exercise Time
The best way to stick to your mental health routine is to make it part of your schedule. Block off time in your day planner specifically for exercise. Remember, consistency is key! If you don’t like working alone, see if there’s a class or a buddy system to make this part of your schedule fun and sociable.
Focus on Setting Small Targets
Don’t rush yourself! Set realistic goals that won’t overwhelm you. Breaking your routine down into smaller chunks can make it easier to keep on track and ensure you stay motivated and moving forward. Simple targets can include:
- Dedicating 15 minutes three times a week for a walk
- Completing three exercises from a fitness video
- Writing down an achievable activity or goal each day
At the end of the day, it’s important to find an exercise that works for you. With consistency and achievable goals, you’ll be able to maximize the many positive benefits exercise can bring to your mental health.
4. Finding the Right Exercise for Optimal Mental Wellbeing
Exercise isn’t just about physical benefits. It can be just as effective at contributing to our mental wellbeing. Learning how to find the right kind of exercise for yourself can be the key to really taking control of your mental wellbeing.
1. Listen to Your Body
Practice tuning into your body. When some parts are feeling strong and ready for some rigorous exercise, and others might be feeling a little tender or sore. Listen to your body’s impulses and figure out what type and intensity of exercise would be best for you that day. Your body will be grateful and so will your mental wellbeing.
2. The Right Form of Exercise
It’s not just about the type of exercise—it’s about how it makes you feel. Everyone is different, and everyone needs exercise to be beneficial in a different way. Figure out what activities leave you feeling the best afterwards—maybe running gives you a sense of exhilaration, while yoga prepares you for a good night’s rest. Choose an activity that not only offers physical exertion, but will also positively impact your mental wellbeing:
- running
- swimming
- hiking
- cycling
- yoga
3. Your Own Pace
It’s important to find an activity you enjoy, and then to find the right level of intensity. You want to push yourself to sweat and work hard, but not so hard that you’ll be exhausted afterwards. The key is to find your own pace—you’ll know when it’s right. Take your time, be patient, and you’ll be able to find the perfect intensity for you.
Exercise is the key to unlocking a better mental health. Whether it’s to break down barriers, increase focus, or boost self-esteem, regular physical activity can play a large role in helping people feel better in both mind and body. The mind-body connection is real; so it’s important to take time each day to nurture both.
