Summary: Alongside healthy eating patterns, regular exercise is the best way to keep your body fit and is a key factor in maintaining a healthy physique and can add years to your life. But apart from the physiological benefits, practicing a regular activity also has psychological advantages.
Regular exercise can be beneficial not only physically, but also mentally.
Alongside healthy eating patterns, regular exercise is the best way to keep your body fit and is a key factor in maintaining a healthy physique and can add years to your life. However, apart from the physiological benefits, practicing a regular activity also has psychological advantages. Many studies have shown that exercise and physical fitness greatly affect a person’s mood and mental health. A recent study was conducted at the University of North Texas, aiming at finding a link between young adolescents’ physical fitness and depression. It found that students who performed better on fitness tests exhibited fewer signs of depression than others did.
How does exercise improve your mood?
During exercise, the human body releases chemicals called endorphins. Endorphins reduce your perception of pain and leaves you feeling happy, positive, and energized.
In fact, working out is being prescribed as part of the treatment for clinical depression. Regular exercise can help you:
- Sleep better;
- Stay energetic;
- Relieve stress and anxiety;
- Increase self-confidence;
- Slim down and strengthen muscles;
- Keep your blood pressure under control;
- Strengthen your heart.
What physical activities should you do?
If the thought of going to a gym scares you or bores you, do not worry – there are tons of other things you can do.
Here are a few questions you can ask yourself when deciding what physical activity to choose:
- Which physical activities do I like?
- Which activities do I not like? It helps if you eliminate the types of exercise you do not enjoy.
- Do I prefer to exercise on my own or with a group?
- How much time can I dedicate to exercising?
Once you have answered these questions, you can research the different kinds of activities that match your goals. The most important thing is that you do not force yourself to exercise. Choose a fun activity that you enjoy. Exercise should not be a punishment, but a treat.
