The conversation around mental health continues to evolve, as ailments are becoming increasingly common. As such, more researchers and scientists are sharing useful tips to help manage symptoms of mental illness. It is now clear that one of the best ways to help with a variety of mental health problems is to exercise. Science has shown that the link between the health of your mind and your physical body is intrinsically connected.
The guide below will aid you in both improving your life and taking care of your mental wellbeing. It will give you some essential information about exercise and how it benefits the mind, so you can enjoy life to the fullest.
Changes in your brain
People will often think of mental health as something that doesn’t have any physical effects. Yet, the truth is that conditions such as depression and anxiety can profoundly change your brains chemistry, contributing to mood changes. Understanding what happens to your brain when you exercise will help you realize why it is such a great remedy.
When you go running or work out, your body circulates thousands of chemicals to help you move. Importantly, the brain releases substances called endorphins both during exercise and for a long time after. Endorphins are responsible for making people feel happy, which is the ultimate antidote to sadness or worry. The more you exercise and encourage your brain to release endorphins, the longer these high-spirited feelings will last. Long term, this will help to bring positive change to your brain chemistry. Hence, exercise is like a magic potion to help fight away bad feelings.
A sense of achievement
Among the many proactive things that you can do to manage your mental health issues, exercise is unique as it boosts your feelings of achievement. When you finish a race or a fitness class at the gym, you will be left with the distinctly positive feeling that you achieved something. This is incredibly important when you are wrestling with difficult emotions. Additionally, regular exercise may help you build up your stamina and even start competing in different tournaments or races. Just image, what it would feel like if you were running marathons and needed to purchase a race medal display frame to store your various awards. What’s more is that the more you engage in such activities, the more you motivate yourself to continue exercising in the future.
Get some inspiration
Now that you have a better grasp of how great exercise can be, you need to learn how to build your own workout routine that works for you. The critical thing to remember is that you don’t need to go over the top right away. Instead, build up your strength and stamina, giving yourself plenty of time.
First, go to the gym and try the different equipment there. See what you enjoy and how far you can comfortably push yourself. On the other hand, you can go for a jog, walk or swim, and set some goals of how far you should go. Once you have done this, gradually increase the difficulty of the exercise or the distance that you run/walk/swim when your current routine becomes too easy.
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Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Moreover, views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of Awareness Junkie or its staff.