<< Go back to blog

10 Mental Health Benefits Of Working Out

Many people only decide to become active if they want to lose weight or to improve their body image. However, for the people who do not work out or those who are not active may miss out on all the additional benefits that physical activity can offer you.

For instance, all you really need is 30 minutes of moderate aerobic activity to get your heart beating a little faster and to feel a the burn. You will feel happier, reduce the risk of certain diseases, strengthen bones and muscles, reduce anxiety and stress and so much more.

In addition, physical activities are a great way to meet new people and even a chance to create friendships.

The bottom line is that physical activity and working out is great for getting in the best overall health that you need to live a long healthy life; mentally and physically.

Therefore, taking a little time out of your day to workout will allow you to feel happy and allow you to create a goal that you can work towards to give you are a sense of purpose.

The Benefits of Working Out

1. Reduces Stress Levels

Going for a 30-minute work out or even going for a short swim is a great way to help take your mind off negative thoughts or worries that may be stressing you out. Even though exercise cannot solve the root cause of why you are feeling stressed, it can however allow you to have a break from your worries, negative thoughts, mental and emotional issues.

2. Makes You Happy

If you are feeling a little down and want to try and find a way to boost your mood, then you might want to go for a walk or a run. This is because exercise brings out a chemical in the brain called dopamine which is a neurotransmitter that triggers the feelings of pleasure and happiness. There for the more often you exercise the happier you will feel.

3. Improves Self-Confidence

If you are in a position where you do not feel confident in your own skin, then you might want to jump on a treadmill. Not only will you physically look better, but you will feel stronger, independent, confident and happy.  It will allow you to improve your self-image in a positive way and make your feel like a supermodel.

4. Reduces Risk of Cardiovascular Disease

610,000 people in the United States suffer from heart disease every year and 1 out of 4 of those people die. Therefore, it is extremely important to do everything you can to make sure that you do not become part of this statistic; this means you need to exercise. For that reason getting in 150 minutes a week of moderate exercise can reduce your risk of cardiovascular diseases.

5. Prevent Cognitive Decline

Unfortunately when we get older many people may face a cognitive decline and in many cases this poses a high risk of developing dementia.  Sadly, there is no cure currently available to reverse the effects of cognitive decline and/or dementia. However, studies have shown how physical exercise can slow down cognitive decline in people.

6. Relieves Anxiety

When participating in physical activity it releases certain chemicals that help people feel calmer who are suffering from anxiety. For that reason, many studies have shown how regular exercise for some people can reduce anxiety symptoms that are long-lasting. This is because exercise improves mental health which helps your brain cope with stress a lot better.

7. Boosts Brainpower

If you have an upcoming exam or if you have troubles remembering people's names then you may want to exercise. This is because studies have shown how physical activity and/or exercise can enhance your memory capacity.

In addition, people who have exercised more often have shown an increased improvement for problem-solving skills.

8. Increases Relaxation

Having the ability to relax after a long day is a great way to ensure that you will get a good night's rest; however, many people cannot relax and this causes insomnia. However, in recent studies it has shown how regular exercise a few hours before you go to sleep can have the same effect as a sleeping pill.

9. Strengthens Your Bones and Muscles

As we get older it is important to protect our bones and muscles, as it will allow you to have the ability to go on with your daily routine without any pain or restrictions. Research shows the best way to keep your bones strong and healthy is to participate regular moderate physical activity daily. It will reduce your risk of hip fractures, arthritis and other conditions.

10. Become More Productive

If you are finding that there are not enough hours in the day to get everything done, then exercise may solve that problem. Many studies have shown how people who take the time to exercise regularly are more productive because they have more energy. All you need is to spare 30 minutes and go for a brisk walk or jog.

<< Go back to blog