Exercise doesn’t just help your physical health – it can boost your mental health too!
Exercise has an enormous part to play in #mentalhealth, it can be anything from a going to a gym, exercising at home, playing a sport, getting into yoga or simply getting outdoors and going for a walk.
You can walk or jog for free too!
The benefits in making time to exercise;
Boost Confidence
Burn off #Stress
Reduce #Anxiety
Self Compassion
Improve Sleep
So......how does exercise help mental health?
Physical exercise can be effective in relieving stress as the body releases endorphins when exercising. Even if we can only manage a little or a half-hour walk every day, that’s good, the fresh air will be of benefit too!
Endorphins are hormones in our bodies that help relieve pain, reduce stress and improve your sense of well-being. There is so much we can do at home now with free online classes.
Physical exercise can help with the physical symptoms of anxiety by using up the excess chemicals produced by the body’s ‘fight-or-flight’ response. The release of endorphins that happens during exercise, can help the individual gain important positive feelings.
Exercise also requires concentration, and this is a great technique to take your mind off the fear and anxiety which helps to reduce the power of anxiety. This is taking some control back!
Keeping active is good for mental health as sports and fitness can be fun which helps to reduce levels of anxiety. It is a chance to set goals and achievements which can help to focus on something positive. Again taking some control back!
This is also true for mild #depression as exercise has been proven to help and is considered a great treatment. Exercise releases endorphins into the bloodstream which are associated with pleasure and relaxation so this is a great way to learn how to actively self help.
It also helps confidence. When we commit to something and follow through, we’re keeping our word to ourselves. We notice ourselves getting fitter, building up exercise gradually in a way that is manageable and achievable is a perfect opportunity to gain #self-value and #self-respect.
#Stressful thoughts trigger the release of stress hormones, we often experience the fight/flight impulse and attempt to burn off stress hormones by may be pacing or wringing hands.
Exercising is a great way to burn off stress hormones, hit the gym, ride a bike, play a sport, swim! walk! practice yoga. You are simply taking control and may be even breaking unhealthy habits that have become your normal way of coping.
This is something you can do in the moment - go for a walk, jog on the spot, drop and give me 20 push ups! whatever your level of fitness it will help burn off stress, once you recognise it's there. You can learn new ways to cope, combat and #overcome !
Exercise is also proven to help with #sleepissues, when you exercise in the day your body is more active so it pushes you more towards sleep at night as it increases your sleep drive.
Just remember to #bekindtoyourself - as with everything, it is about progress not perfection. So make it achievable and do not set goals that are unreachable.
With exercise #self-compassion is important. Set reachable targets, make it doable and keep building.
Most Importantly - Congratulate Yourself!
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