Exercising for Mental Health

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Want to know if exercising for mental health really reaps any benefits? Read on to find out why and how sweating will boost your mental health.

 

 

 

Mental health is an issue that receives more attention now than at any other point in history. Once considered a ‘taboo’ topic, mental health is becoming part of our daily dialogue, helping to normalize it as a legitimate medical issue.

 

 

 

As a result of this more open approach to mental health issues, more and more newspapers, blogs, and magazines are discussing how their readers can help their mental health. 

 

 

 

Although there is nothing you can do outside of treatment and medical attention to cure mental disorders, there are certainly some practices you can employ to HELP your mental health treatment go a bit smoother!

Exercising for Mental Health…

 

Exploring the issue

 

There’s a significant number of the studies that have lead to the consensus that physical exercise helps mental health.

 

 

 

Much has been theorized as to why this is the case, with ideas ranging from increased blood flow to the brain to the impact of mood-enhancing endorphins that are released during exercise.

 

 

 

Ultimately, however, the how regarding the link between mental health and physical exercise isn’t particularly important – the mere existence of the link is what counts.

 

 

What if exercise has never worked for you?

 

Of course, hearing that scientific studies have proven a point is not necessarily the end of the debate. Many people do exercise, but experience mental health issues all the same. Much of this is due to the variance in human physiology; not everyone reacts to the same stimuli in the same way.

 

 

 

If you have tried exercising to benefit your mental health in the past, you may be skeptical about trying again. However, giving dedicated exercise a second try will definitely boost your health physically, and may be able to offer mental health benefits also – especially if you add in an extra element.

 

 

 

Combining exercise with other beneficial behaviors

 

One of the best ways to experiment with exercising for mental health benefits is to combine exercise with other mental-health-boosting behaviors.

 

 

For example, you could try getting up earlier to go for a walk. Walking is helpful in and of itself, and doing so in the morning has been proven to be more effective, as studies show that early birds are less prone to issues with depression.   

 

 

 

 

While you are walking, you can listen to an uplifting audiobook, podcast, or music.  I listen to books on Audible- Start your FREE 30 Day Trial today and tune into amazing and inspiring audiobooks wherever you are!

 

 

 

 

 

Plus, it will be safer for you to be out walking at this time of day; as you can see from the details here, pedestrian accidents are far too common, so the fact that roads are quiet earlier in the morning is an important point to note.

 

 

 

 

Alternatively, you could try listening to music you enjoy while exercising – as music has a noticeable effect on brain chemistry. These examples are just the tip of the iceberg; essentially, you can look to create a “two for one” experience. This combined approach may allow you to see results in ways that exercise alone didn’t achieve.

 

In conclusion

 

Hopefully, the above has helped to clarify why exercise is so frequently “prescribed” for those with mental health issues, and how you can implement this – along with other beneficial behaviors – into your life.