Exercise for Better Mental Health

It is evident that many people struggle to find the time to exercise, but it really is important to work on your fitness. Not only is exercise important for helping you to maintain a healthy weight and keeping your body in good condition; it can also benefit your mental health. It is therefore worth making time in your schedule to exercise. There are plenty of activities to try, from power-walking and jogging to cycling and swimming and, as long as you do something which gets your heart rate going, then you will really feel the benefits.

By keeping active you will find it much easier to keep your weight down and since many people find their weight a rather stressful issue, this can only benefit your self-esteem. Indeed, exercise can help you deal with stress and anxiety, anyway, because of the chemicals that are released into your system when you get active. You have to really push yourself to access all the benefits available, but if you increase the intensity of your workouts and exercise for longer, you will notice a difference, as you’re left buzzing due to all the endorphins that are flowing through your body. This is sometimes referred to as a ‘runner’s high’.

Thus, although it may seem like a real effort to put your trainers on and go for a run, once you actually do so, you will get a boost from breathing in the fresh air and pushing yourself beyond what you thought you were capable of. After a run or a bike ride you will feel refreshed and alert and soon you will start wanting to go outside to exercise or to the gym for a workout, because you remember how good you feel afterwards. Keeping active can also improve the quality of your sleep and make falling asleep easier, which is also beneficial for your mental health, since sleep enables your mind to process issues so that you are more focused when you wake up.

You can also take exercise with other people, giving you a chance to socialise and meet others with similar goals and interests as yourself. If you join a club or a gym, you may find it easier to stay motivated and to maintain a positive attitude with regard to exercise, thus making it easier for you to keep on exercising even on those days when you cannot be bothered! Clearly, then, the importance of regular exercise should not be underestimated!