You might have heard that physical exercise is more than muscle or weight reduction. Sure, exercise makes a lot of improvement on the physical body, but that is not the only thing motivating people. Did you know that there are mental health benefits of exercise?
Research has that exercise has profound positive impacts on mental health (Mikkelsen et al., 2017). People who exercise often tend to have fewer mental challenges. Modest regular exercise reduces depression, sleep disorders, anxiety, low memory, and other conditions affiliated with poor mental health.
The good news is that anyone can reap the benefits regardless of age or other factors. Exercise does not need to be overbearing. Even the least movement can produce amazing results on an individual's mental health.
Fighting Depression
If you are looking for the best antidepressant, exercise is the way to go. In the study by Mikkelsen et al. (2017), the scholars confirm that physical exercise, such as running for 15 minutes a day, reduces the risk for depression.
The impact of exercise on mental health is also evident in Newman (2019), where maintaining exercise prevents one from relapsing into depression and most mental disorders.
The study by Mikkelsen and his colleagues also states that exercise eliminates all the underlying causes of depression. For instance, inflammation reduces greatly, allowing for neural growth and the promotion of calm feelings.
Instead of constantly having negative thoughts, exercise produces hormones that promote optimism and strength.
Get rid of anxiety
According to the analysis conducted by Star (2011) and Desai (2021), exercise relieves tension, boosts mental energy, and enhances general well-being through the release of endorphin hormones.
That sensation gets rid of anxiety without any struggle.
Stress and exercise
Stress makes the body taut, muscles tense, cramping in most body parts, and even pain. Sometimes, people experience other mental issues such as insomnia, bouts of anger, and low memory.
Most of these symptoms come in the form of cycles, and their intensity increases with an increase in stress levels.
Exercise is the only way to overcome this effect. It produces endorphins, or the 'feel good' hormones' These hormones are effective in calming the body and relieving tension. As a result, an individual experiences less stress.
Exercise and Resilience
If you ask most bodybuilders or athletes why they spend a lot of time exercising, they will tell you it's all ait's resilience. Exercise indeed produces physical and mental resilience. In the study done by Mikkelsen and his colleagues, scientific facts confirm that exercise makes one resilient against any mental disturbance.
The body and the mind are always interconnected. Caring for one body part has an impact on the other one. That is why the mental health benefits of exercise are not difficult to identify.
References
Desai, A. (Jan 18, 2021). “Impact of Exercise on Mental Health.” Retrieved March 11, 2021, from CentraState Fitness and Wellness website: https://centrastatefitness.com/2021/01/impact-of-exercise-on-mental-health/
Mikkelsen, K., Stojanovska, L., Polenakovic, M., Bosevski, M., & Apostolopoulos, V. (2017). Exercise and mental health. Maturitas, 106(106), 48–56. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.maturitas.2017.09.003
Star, K. (2011, October 13). Physical Exercise for Panic Disorder and Anxiety. Retrieved from Verywell Mind website: https://www.verywellmind.com/physical-exercise-for-panic-disorder-and-anxiety-2584094
Newman, T. (Aug 11, 2019). “Physical fitness may help prevent depression, anxiety.” Retrieved March 11, 2021, from www.medicalnewstoday.com website: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326005