Sometimes when life gets tough, it can be hard to find ways to stay motivated and positive. But did you know that physical activity can help improve your mental health?
It’s true! Exercise isnt just about staying in shape. Studies have shown that regular physical activity can help reduce stress, improve sleep, and even boost your self-confidence.
Regular physical activity can help with anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. It makes sense, really. Exercise helps to release endorphins, which are hormones that give us a natural boost of energy and happiness. It also helps to reduce tension, improve sleep, and burn off excess stress hormones, like cortisol, which can lead to feelings of sadness and fatigue.
- According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), regular physical activity can reduce stress and improve mood by releasing endorphins, which are natural chemicals that make you feel good.
- A study by the American Psychological Association (APA) found that people who exercised regularly experienced an improvement in their mental health and an overall decrease in stress and anxiety.
- A study published in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity found that regular physical activity was associated with a reduced risk of anxiety and depression.
Physical activity can also help to keep our minds sharp and alert. It can help to improve our concentration and focus, and can even help to reduce the risk of developing mental health issues, such as dementia!
Exercise can be a powerful tool in improving mental health. And the best part? You don’t have to be a marathon runner or spend hours in the gym to reap the rewards. Even just a few minutes of any physical activity can help to improve your mental health. Whether it’s walking, cycling, swimming, or even just a gentle yoga session, find something that works for your lifestyle and make it part of your daily routine.
One of our favorite ways to encourage ourselves to move every single day, is to wear a fitness watch. These make excellent tools for measuring daily acitivity and motivating us to increase our stats. They can be quite affordable too, with some of the more basic options starting at just $30.
Fun Story; fitness watches create some serious competition in our house. We all wear one and we like to challenge each other now and then to see who can get the most steps in a week. One Friday night the race was so close that we stayed up late chasing each other around the house, refusing to be the first to go to sleep for fear we might be ‘out-stepped’ before the challenge was over. We laughed so hard that night and will always hold this memory lovingly in our hearts.
So, make it a point to move every day by choosing simple, fun activities that fit well into your schedule and lifestyle. Invest in tools that will track your progress, and motivate you to acheive your goals. When physical activity becomes a regular part of your life, you will notice major improvements in your mental health which will have a ripple effect on every aspect of your life.
You deserve to feel better, accomplish more, and experience more positive relationships both personally and professionally. Only you can give this to yourself so start today and improve all your tomorrows.
