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How Does Physical Activity Help Mental Health – Mental Health Benefits of Exercise We all know that working out offers many physical benefits, but did you know that it can also maintain a healthy mind? Mental Health
Western medicine often neglects the mind-body connection, but physical exercise does not directly affect the brain. Exercise increases blood flow, oxygen and nutrient delivery to the brain, and stimulates the release of hormones, the growth of new brain cells and neural pathways. Specifically, exercise leads to the creation of new cells in the hippocampus, the area of the brain responsible for learning, memory and emotional processing. In short, exercising our bodies has very real consequences for our minds and can actually help prevent cognitive decline and increase mental acuity.
How Does Physical Activity Help Mental Health
Research has shown exercise to be a powerful treatment for depression, anxiety and general emotional well-being. Working out releases endorphins, mood-boosting chemicals that produce feelings of euphoria and happiness.
How Exercise And The Simple Act Of Moving Your Body Can Improve Mental Health
Regular exercise can also give you a sense of control over your well-being, leading to better self-esteem and motivation. Setting and achieving goals, sticking with a routine and overcoming adversity in the gym can give you a sense of accomplishment and confidence in your abilities.
Daily exercise can help regulate your circadian rhythm, helping you fall asleep faster and sleep more deeply. Sleep is essential for our mood and emotional well-being – who feels better after a bad night’s sleep?
While exercise is technically a physical stressor, time in the gym can be a great way to unplug, zone in and take notice. OPEX Gyms give you a place to focus on yourself, while in a supportive environment, so you’ll always leave with a smile on your face.
OPEX Gyms doesn’t start and end with your workout. A key skill taught by OPEX Trainers is diaphragmatic breathing. This is often used as a cool-down, before eating and before bed, to help you bring your body into a state of relaxation. Breathing exercises stimulate the parasympathetic “rest and digest” nervous system, to reduce the harmful effects of stress and anxiety.
Exercise Makes Us More Creative, Scientists Say
Regular exercise has many benefits for the body, mind and spirit, regardless of your age or current fitness level. If you’re not motivated or feeling up, some squats and cycling could be your ticket to a happier, healthier you!
Subscribe to our newsletter and don’t worry, we hate spam too. We will include content that is only helpful to support your fitness and lifestyle goals. Today, I’m happy to bring you a guest article from Marie Miguel, a writing and research expert for over a decade, covering a variety of health-related topics. Currently, he is contributing to the expansion and development of a free online mental health resource including BetterHelp.com. With a passion and dedication to addressing the stigmas associated with mental health, she continues to focus on key topics related to anxiety and depression.
Did you know that physical and mental health are equally important for a healthy life? This is one of the main reasons why scientists and medical professionals are getting together. The combination of these professionals gives clients a complete healing solution. This healing solution combines the positive effects of exercise, physical health, and mental health. When it comes to taking care of your overall health, psychologists and other medical professionals have discovered that mental health and physical health are equally important. In this article, we talk about some of the reasons why.
The National Center for Mental Health Information in the United States has discovered a significant link between regular exercise and the reduction of mental health symptoms. Scientists suggest that people who exercise regularly can reduce symptoms associated with anxiety, depression, and other common mental health disorders.
Not Just Physical, Exercise Improves Mental Health Too: Know Benefits
Aerobic exercise is at the top of the list when it comes to making a positive impact on your mental health. Other activities that contribute to improved mood and boost in self-confidence are the following: walking, jogging, swimming, and cycling.
The fact that all of these activities are mostly outdoor activities may also have some effect on the improved mental state that people experience. Vitamin D is a natural supplement produced by the sun that causes an increase in positive moods. Exposure to natural sunlight and vitamin D is a primary benefit of participating in outdoor activities. As a result, when you are involved in outdoor sports activities, you are combining the effects of exercise, fresh air, and vitamin D to pack a powerful health punch.
Meetings with licensed mental health professionals are becoming more readily available and affordable. This makes it easier for people to participate in much needed therapy and mental health services that they may have missed in the past. Today’s therapists are found in hospitals, doctor’s offices, clinics, and private practices. A new addition is online therapy, including therapy sites like BetterHelp or Talkspace. The same therapists you see in traditional therapy communities are now available online.
Talk to therapists about things that affect you in your life. Therapists are available online 24-hours a day to provide individual, couples, and family therapy. Online therapy is the best option for people with busy schedules and those living in rural areas.
The Positives Of Exercising For Mental Health
The best way to take care of both your mental and physical health is to start with regular exercise. Exercise provides physical health benefits that include reduced stress levels and reduced risk for developing diabetes or heart disease. Exercise also improves mental health by reducing stress and anxiety levels.
Before beginning an exercise program, the first step to take is to contact your primary care provider for a physical exam. When you visit your health care provider, they may perform a series of medical and mental health tests to determine if you need treatment in these areas. If medical issues are discovered, your healthcare provider will make appropriate recommendations for treatment. If mental health issues are also discovered, your medical provider may recommend a combination of exercise and therapy with a licensed provider.
