Here, the surprising benefits of exercise on your mood
The link between exercise and mood is pretty strong.
Everyone knows the benefits of exercise : stronger muscles, more energy, weight management, better sleep etc..
Often times, how exercise improves mood and mental health in general is most times overlooked. Exercise has psychological benefits too, not only does it help handle stress, it may help prevent stress in the first place.
Research has shown that your attitudes towards or expectations of exercise can influence the outcome, good or bad.
Mentally, we feel more energized and ready to tackle the world after a good workout because endorphins have boosted our physical energy level and when you are more energized, that’s a mood lifter.
The exercise you’re participating in (ideally would) raise your heart rate significantly for a period of (at least) 30 minutes. Doing this 3 to 4 times a week has a mild anti depressant effect, says Sartz.
If improving your mood is the only reason you exercise, then the bar for what counts as exercise is far lower than it is for weight loss, muscle building etcetera.
How better you feel isn’t tied to how long or hard you exercise. For improving fitness, variety is important but exercise for psychological reasons should be one you can maintain.
Here are some activities to consider as you kickstart your journey to a happier you
- Walking
- Aerobic exercise
- Low impact exercises like yoga has shown potential benefits when it comes to mood.
Conclusion
It’s really up to you to decide. When trying to add exercise to your routine for better mental health, it is better to start with an activity you enjoy because that’s what you are most likely to stick with.
Find an activity you enjoy, go at your own pace, use tech tools like a wearable device to track your steps or activity and challenge yourself to improve over time.
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