One of the things I’m incredibly passionate about is helping
people achieve the highest level of mental health possible for them. I say “for them” because we have varying
levels of mental health and some are naturally more prone to health than
illness. Throughout my career as a
therapist, I’ve often used fitness as a supplement to traditional therapy or
even medication. In several cases, it’s
been the key thing that takes a person from surviving to thriving. You don’t have to suffer from a mental illness
to reap the mental and emotional benefits of exercise though!
1. Reduction in anxiety and depression:
Aerobic activities, such as jogging, walking, cycling, and dancing have proven
to be just as effective in reducing mild cases of depression and anxiety as
medication. Increased blood flow, achieved in aerobic exercise, flowing
to the pleasure centers of the brain makes this possible. Mood
enhancement can begin within 5 minutes of exercising!! That’s right, just 5
minutes! Note that exercising too hard increases the time it takes to feel the
mood enhancing boost from 5 minutes to 30 minutes or more.
2. Reduces
stress: Once of the most well-known benefits of exercise is the reduction
of stress that can be obtained. The same feel good chemicals that relieve
depression and anxiety also alleviate stress.
3. Increased
social connection: Exercising with others or engaging in a health and
fitness accountability group provides additional outlets for social connections.
According to recent research, social connectivity is the number one contributor
to happiness.
4. Increased
desire for sex: It’s common for a person’s sex drive to decrease when
they are struggling with their mental health.
Just as increased blood flow to the pleasure centers of the brain
reduces anxiety and depression; it also increases the sex drive.
5. Improvement
in cognitive function: Research shows exercise helps generate new brain
cells and brain-derived protein. Not only does this improve memory, but
it also prevents cognitive decline. Staying
sharp over the years is more likely for those who exercise regularly than those
who do not.
6. Improvement
of sleep: Almost all of us could use
better sleep! Regular aerobic activity
promotes better and more restful sleep.
Some people find that they cannot exercise too close to bedtime though,
so it’s important to get a feel for how your body responds immediately to
exercise.
7. Increased
self-efficacy and self-esteem: As you see yourself achieving small goals
in your fitness, it promotes the belief that you can accomplish bigger goals,
both related to fitness as well as in other areas. The increased belief
in yourself produces an overall self-esteem and confidence boost over
time. In my experience, this is one area
that moves a person from surviving to thriving.
8. Lifestyle
change: Of course you cannot begin to
incorporate a meaningful fitness routine without making changes in your
lifestyle. These changes often have a
ripple effect into other areas of life, especially when made with support and
encouragement from those around you. This
lifestyle change is important in continuing with and exercise routine and
continuing to reap all of the benefits!
9. Reduces
feelings of being “stuck”: The physical movement of exercise can be
translated to metaphorical movement. We all find ourselves going through
periods in our life where we feel stuck.
Walking or running while talking out these feelings can produce a shift
in thoughts toward progress or solution. Even if you don’t have someone to talk to
while exercising, thinking it out as you’re pounding the pavement can help.
10. Increases
creativity: Research shows a two hour increase in creativity post sweat
session. Exercising outdoors has shown to be especially effective in this
area. Feeling like you can’t move
forward on a project or aren’t getting the creative results you want? Putting in a good workout may get you there!
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