They say the mind and body are connected, yet most people don’t treat the two as one in the same. Those that exercise regularly aren’t aware of the positive impact it has on their mental health. As a result, many people don’t fully appreciate their exercise routine for what it is.
At the same time, those that struggle with mental health don’t fully understand the amazing benefits of exercise for mental health. Instead, they do their best to avoid physical activity as much as possible. As a result, their mental health continues to suffer and potentially get worse.
This doesn’t need to be the case and it’s what makes awareness such a powerful tool — both in the fitness community and the mental health community. A little bit of exercise on a regular basis can go a long way in helping improve your quality of life and improve your mental health.
Benefits Of Exercise for Mental Health:
Exercise and mental health are more related to one another than most people realize. With that said, too many people are intimidated by the thought of exercise and never truly give it a chance to help them heal. Unfortunately, these people aren’t doing themselves any favors by avoiding it.
A large reason why people are intimidated is because they have the wrong idea of exercise. They think it means lifting heavy weights and doing cardio until you can’t move or breathe. In reality, that’s not what is meant by exercise and it actually does more harm than good.
In fact, all you need is 30 minutes of exercise, five days per week. And that 30 minutes can be spent walking, jogging, doing jumping jacks, swimming, dancing, or even gardening. If you can stay committed, you’ll see a wide range of benefits to your mental health, including the following:
1. Exercise May Reduce Depression and Anxiety Symptoms
It’s estimated that 1 in 5 adults experience some form of mental illness each year. Whether it be depression, anxiety, or any of the other mental health conditions, these people clearly struggle with their day-to-day life. Little do they know that exercise can help relieve their symptoms.
In fact, it’s proven that regular exercise — whether it be 15 minutes of running or one hour of walking — can effectively relieve depression or anxiety symptoms by releasing endorphins, providing a positive distraction, reducing inflammation, and promoting neural growth in the brain.
2. Exercising Can Boost Confidence & Self-Esteem
When you exercise, you gain a level of confidence that you didn’t have before. You know what they say — when you look good, you feel good and when you feel good, you look good. Exercise helps you not only feel good, but it also helps you lose weight — which helps you look good.
With this newfound confidence and self-esteem, you’ll walk through life with a smile on your face. And that smile will lift the spirits of those around you. It’s a beautiful world when everyone is smiling and it’s even more beautiful when we’re making each other smile!
3. Exercise Can Help Reduce Stress & Improve Your Mood
Stress is something we all experience on a daily basis, whether you like it or not. Sometimes that stress is caused by small triggers, while other times it’s caused by major life problems. Either way, it’s important that we learn how to manage our stress and control our triggers.
It’s widely known that exercising releases endorphins in the brain. And since these endorphins make us feel good and alleviate pain, they’ll help us improve our mood and reduce stress.
4. Exercise Can Also Help Suppress Negative Thoughts
How often do you find yourself thinking negative thoughts? Do those thoughts tend to overstay their welcome? Don’t worry, this is a common occurrence in most people and you’re not alone. The good news is exercising can help you suppress those thoughts by acting as a distraction.
Those negative thoughts are one of the main culprits of stress, anxiety, and depression. By relieving yourself of those thoughts, you promote a healthier mind and encourage a happier mood that you can carry around with you throughout the day.
5. Regular Exercise Can Improve Sleep Quality
Sleep is an essential remedy source for both the mind and body. It not only heals the body after a long day, but it heals the mind and ensures it’s ready for the day ahead. Without quality sleep — as well as the right amount of sleep — your body and mind will struggle and suffer.
The good news is that a regular exercise routine plays an important role in promoting healthy sleeping patterns. It not only ensures you get enough sleep each night, but it improves the quality of that sleep.
6. Regular Physical Activity Increases Energy Levels
When your mental health is suffering, you’ll often feel like the weight of the world is crashing down on you. You’ll lose all momentum, motivation, drive, and purpose. You’ll struggle to find the energy to make it through the day. Your days feel long, almost like you’re dragging yourself.
With a regular exercise routine, you start to gain that energy back. You’ll increase your heart rate and you’ll feel more ready to attack the day with fortitude and resilience — nothing will stand in your way, not even yourself.
Get Your Exercise On At Circuit Fitness LV!
There are plenty of mental health benefits of exercise, yet most people don’t take advantage of them. At Circuit Fitness LV, we encourage a regular exercise routine and are committed to providing our members with an exercise program that meets their needs, wants, and desires.
If you’re looking to improve your mental health with regular physical activity, you’ve come to the right place. We offer a wide range of membership plans and even have personal trainers in Las Vegas ready to help you get the most out of your workout. Contact us today to receive a free day pass on us!
We can’t wait to transform the way your mind and body connect with each other!