Is there anyone who remains unconvinced that exercise is good for you? Its probably one of the few things we can all agree on!
You’ve probably heard it is the single greatest thing you can do for your overall health and longevity; that it can help you look better, sleep better, and feel better. If you are anything like most Americans, turning that knowledge into action can be another matter altogether.
While some of us find all the dedication and motivation they need to regularly get off their butts, the rest of us are usually moving less than we’d want to. Indeed, most Americans are sedentary, and this is linked to a tremendous host of health issues – from inflammation and weight gain to increased risk of diabetes, cancer, and heart disease.
But we have got a new piece of motivation, one you may not have considered: exercising not to look better – because let’s face it, most of us will drive ourselves crazy in pursuit of unattainable perfection – but to FEEL better. Here’s the rub: movement can help us not only feel better in our bodies, but to feel better in our heads!
Mental Health and Exercise
Obviously, exercising is vital to our physical health. But did you know that physical activity can also support mental health? Researchers even have a name for it: the feel-better effect.
According to research, those who frequently exercise have better mental and emotional well-being, as well as lower rates of mental illness.
Indeed, exercise appears to lower the likelihood of developing mental illness. Additionally, it appears to be effective in treating some mental health issues like anxiety and depression. For instance, evidence indicates that exercise can be just as effective for mild-to-moderate depression as antidepressants or psychiatric therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy. Further, exercise is a beneficial complement to other forms of treatment.
Why Does Exercising Improve Our Mental Health?
People that routinely exercise frequently do so purely out of self-motivation. Exercise can improve your mood, focus, and alertness. Who wouldn’t benefit from having a more upbeat outlook on life?
Exercise and mental health are intricately related. For instance, mental illness can be both a cause and a result of inactivity. However, there are a variety of other ways that exercise can enhance your mental well-being, such as:
- When you exercise, your brain’s chemicals like serotonin, stress hormones, and endorphins change
- Frequent exercise aids sleep. And getting enough sleep aids in mood management.
- Exercise can improve your sense of control, coping ability and self-esteem. People who exercise regularly often report how good achieving a goal makes them feel.
- Exercise can distract you from negative thoughts and provide opportunities to try new experiences.
- It offers an opportunity to socialize and get social support if you exercise with others.
- Exercise increases your energy levels.
- Physical activity can be an outlet for your frustrations.
- Exercise can reduce skeletal muscle tension, which helps you feel more relaxed.
The physical advantages of exercise are deeply beneficial for those with mental illness, likely offsetting their higher risks of chronic physical problems including heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, and asthma.
Functional Fitness
Still not convinced? Why not try a super short workout and note the results of your mood? We are fans of functional fitness. Functional fitness is a type of exercise that supports your everyday life. It includes movements such as walking, pushing, pulling, bending, squatting, lunging, and core. These exercises improve functional strength. Functional fitness is something that is rooted in all of us. Functional fitness can help improve daily life by strengthening muscles to prepare them for everyday tasks and activities. Mostly using your body weight, this form of strength training is simple and safe for almost anyone. Research shows that people who exercise regularly have better mental health and emotional well-being, and lower rates of mental illness. Taking up exercise seems to reduce the risk of developing mental illness. It also seems to help in treating some mental health conditions, like depression and anxiety.
SLO Recovery Offers Primary Mental Health Treatment
SLO Recovery Center developed our Mental Health Intensive Outpatient Program to provide comprehensive, compassionate outpatient treatment to those with mental health diagnoses and co-occurring disorders. The program is available to all adults recovering from mental health or substance abuse issues who need a supportive, empathetic environment. The program encourages patients to build healthy coping and recovery skills while treating their underlying mental health concerns.