“5 Physical Activities for Mental Health: How Exercise Boosts Your Well-Being”

stacy mwangi
3 min readMar 14, 2023

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Physical activity is essential for maintaining good mental health. Exercise not only helps to keep your body healthy but also provides numerous benefits for your mental well-being. Physical activity is a natural mood booster and can help to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. Here are 5 physical activities that can improve your mental health:

Walking.

Walking is one of the most accessible forms of exercise, and it can have significant benefits for your mental health. Walking outside in nature can help reduce stress, improve mood, and increase feelings of well-being. Research has shown that even short walks can have a positive impact on mental health, so try to make walking a part of your daily routine: https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/how-much-exercise-do-you-need-to-benefit-your-health-2019061916844

Yoga.

Yoga combines physical activity with mindfulness and meditation, making it an excellent choice for improving mental health. Yoga can help to reduce stress and anxiety, improve sleep quality, and increase feelings of calm and relaxation. It can also improve flexibility, balance, and strength https://www.yogajournal.com/yoga-101/yoga-for-mental-health/

Dancing.

Dancing is a fun and energetic form of exercise that can have a positive impact on mental health. Dancing can help to reduce stress and anxiety, improve mood, and increase feelings of self-confidence. It also provides a social outlet, which can help to reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation: https://www.verywellmind.com/how-dancing-can-improve-your-mental-health-5092099

Swimming.

Swimming is a low-impact form of exercise that is excellent for mental health. Swimming can help to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, improve mood, and increase feelings of well-being. It is also an excellent way to improve cardiovascular health and increase overall fitness: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321019

Hiking.

Hiking is a great way to combine physical activity with time spent in nature. Hiking can help to reduce stress and anxiety, improve mood, and increase feelings of well-being. It also provides a sense of accomplishment and can help to boost self-confidence: https://www.healthline.com/health/hiking-benefits-for-body-and-mind

In conclusion, physical activity is a crucial component of maintaining good mental health. Walking, yoga, dancing, swimming, and hiking are just a few examples of physical activities that can have a positive impact on mental well-being. Incorporating these activities into your daily routine can help to reduce stress and anxiety, improve mood, and increase feelings of well-being.

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stacy mwangi

A mental health advocate who overcame a mental breakdown and now sharing insights and tips on managing mental health challenges .