If you're reading this, it's safe to say that you know the benefits of exercising. You know how much better your body feels after a good run or workout at the gym. You know how great it is to have energy and feel strong and fit. And most importantly, you know that exercise helps with physical fitness while helping prevent many chronic diseases like hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease. But maybe you don't know about the benefits of exercise for mental health. Here are a few of them.
1. Exercise Increases Self-esteem
This is probably one of the most important mental health benefits of exercise as it can be quite hard for those who suffer from depression to feel good about themselves and their abilities, but regular physical activity can change that around. It's been shown that people with low self-esteem tend to have a harder time recovering from depressive episodes, so anything we can do to boost self-esteem is beneficial.
2. Exercise Reduces Stress
Exercise is a great way to reduce stress. It releases endorphins which have mood-boosting effects and can help you feel happier and more relaxed. When you're feeling stressed out, just go for a brisk walk or do some other form of exercise, and you'll likely start to feel better fairly quickly.
3. Exercise Can Help With Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health problems globally, and they can be extremely debilitating. Exercise can help reduce symptoms like excessive worry, panic attacks, and avoidance behaviors. It's not a cure-all, but it can be a very effective treatment when combined with other therapies.
4. Exercise Reduces Symptoms of Depression
Depression is a very common mental health problem, and it can be difficult to treat. However, research has shown that exercise can help with depression. It helps to boost your mood, increase energy levels, and improve self-esteem. If you're suffering from depression, then consider adding exercise to your treatment plan.
5. Exercise Can Help Relieve Insomnia
Insomnia is another common mental health problem. It can be extremely disruptive to your life and affect your mood, energy levels, memory, productivity, and overall quality of life. Exercising at least three times a week has been shown to improve sleep quality by decreasing the time it takes to fall asleep and increasing the amount of time spent in deep sleep.
Exercising has been shown to have a wide variety of benefits, from reducing stress and anxiety to improving your mood and helping you sleep better. Unfortunately, only one in three adults gets the required amount of physical activity each week, with less than 5% participating in 30 minutes of physical activity daily. Are you looking to improve your physical fitness or mental health through exercise? Call us today to see how our elite personal trainers can help you.
