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Exercising should be everyone’s way of life and not something we turn to after the doctor advises us to do so.
It could be something as simple as a few cardio exercises in the morning or a long evening walk. You don’t have to spend an hour sweating it out at the gym.
Experts suggest that exercising has numerous benefits for both the body and mind. Yes, that’s right. Exercising doesn’t just help you lose weight and stay in shape but also helps to boost your mental health. Here are seven reasons why exercising is beneficial for your mental stability.
1. Reduces Stress
The lack of a healthy work-life balance, struggles with the pandemic, and other lifestyle choices fill our lives with stress. Exercising is a quick and easy way to focus on your brain health because it increases the production of endorphins. Also known as the happy hormone in the body.
A study by the University College London on active citizens found that they are more comfortable with themselves than their inactive peers. A good exercise regime can help reduce stress, improve your fitness levels, and make you feel better about yourself!
Exercising boosts the immune system, improves cardiovascular health, and can help you think more clearly. There are plenty of ways to exercise. It’s just essential that you find what works for you.
Start small and work your way up. It’s important to remember that consistency is the key to exercising.
It doesn’t have to be a significant time-consuming event. If you can manage to do it for just ten minutes a few times a week, you’ll still be making a substantial difference to your health and wellbeing.
2. Increases Confidence
While exercise can lower body stress hormones like adrenaline, it also increases confidence. That means less self-doubt and a better attitude towards yourself.
Exercise releases endorphins, which make you feel happy and confident. It also releases dopamine, which helps you to focus and reach higher levels of concentration. These things will assist you to be more confident in your abilities and be more comfortable around other people.
3. Exercise and PTSD
There are many benefits to exercise, especially for those with PTSD. The first is that exercise releases chemicals that help improve cognition. It also helps relieve the stress and tension that comes with PTSD.
However, it can be hard to exercise for those with PTSD due to headaches and dizziness. Luckily, exercise can reduce these symptoms by releasing endorphins and serotonin.
If those with PTSD are interested in exercising, here are some tips: start with stretching, walking, and yoga. Once you’ve developed your endurance, you can move on to aerobics, running, and weight lifting.
4. Eases Anxiety
Many people suffer from anxiety, especially young people in their teens and early twenties. While it can be a struggle, there are many ways to handle it.
Exercise is one of the most common forms of medicine and has been for centuries. When it comes to anxiety, exercise can have a calming effect.
A relaxed mind is much better at handling the stress of pressure. It also helps to stay positive. Because of the mental and physical benefits, working out is an easy and effective way to handle anxiety.
5. Reduces Panic Attacks
If you battle with constant panic attacks, here’s an easy solution. Exercise can reduce your stress levels and panic attacks.
You can start with something enjoyable, like aerobics. As you move your body and relax your muscles, it reduces tension and anxiety levels in your body.
It can serve as a healthy diversion from things that get you worried. Regular physical activity can also reduce the frequency and intensity of your panic attacks. Besides that, it is also effective in addressing the symptoms of panic.
6. Improves Sleep Quality
Exercise can lead to improved quality of sleep for many people. If you engage in moderate to vigorous workouts, you can reduce sleep onset. Sleep onset is the amount of time it takes you to fall asleep.
If you’re one of those people who takes a good hour (or more) to go to sleep, you’ll be pleased to know that exercise can shorten this period. A winning result for those who toss and turn at night obsessing and worrying about the day’s events.
7. Reduces Risk of Cognitive Decline
As we grow older, it is normal for us to lose our memory as the brain’s grey cells start to decline. However, research suggests that regular exercise can improve our brain functioning and reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s, Dementia, and other degenerative disorders.
While exercise cannot cure or prevent the onset of these disorders, it can delay the degeneration by protecting your brain health and well-being. Studies found that physically active people who spend time outdoors and enjoy working out tend to have a lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
As the cases of early onset Dementia increase worldwide, we need to do everything we can to protect our cognitive health. It’s time to grab your shoes and hit the park. Go for a jog, get fit, and boost your mental health.
Get moving!
As you can see from the above, there are plenty of reasons to exercise. It improves your cardiovascular health. And, increases the elasticity of the lungs, heart, muscles, tendons, and joints. Training also provides strength and endurance in the human body.
There are many different ways to get exercise. Some of the most popular forms are jogging or biking. If you’re strapped for time, you can even exercise while cooking.
At the end of the day, pick something that you have fun doing and that works for your schedule. Then, it won’t feel like a chore.
Are you ready to exercise and improve your mental and physical health? Go for it!
Nadia is a USA-HomeGym.com Senior Editor with 15 years+ experience in the health, supplement and nutrition niches. Nadia became a health & fitness evangelist after rebuilding her gut health in 2008 using the Weston A. Price method. She developed a Facebook group that grew to more than 15,000 members sharing information on diet for allergy reduction, eczema & psoriasis cessation. Since 2011, Nadia has been an avid stair climber, achieving race times in the top 5% of her age group and maintaining average times of 3’40 – 3’55 minutes per 12 floors.