5 Benefits of Working Out for Your Mind & Body
We all know the physical benefits of exercise – weight control, lower blood pressure, reduced risk of diabetes, increased energy, etc. But what about the mental benefits of exercise? From decreasing symptoms of depression and anxiety to keeping your memory sharp, there’s no shortage of mental benefits of exercise. Hitesh Chhabria – Head of Technical Training (Personal Trainers), Gold’s Gym India, Mumbai elaborates:
Whether you need the motivation to get to the gym or to just take a brisk walk, these five mental benefits of physical activity will have you tying up your shoelaces and heading out –
Helps decrease depression and anxiety:
Exercise is a scientifically proven mood enhancer, decreasing symptoms of both depression and anxiety. Physical activity kicks up endorphin levels, the body’s famous “feel good” hormone produced by the brain and spinal cord that generates feelings of happiness and joy. Even just moderate exercise throughout the week can improve depression and anxiety, so much so that some doctors recommend trying out an exercise program for these conditions before turning to medication.
Helps decrease stress:
Another mental benefit of exercise is reduced stress levels—something that can make us all happier. Increasing your heart rate can actually reverse stress-based brain damage by stimulating the production of neurohormones like norepinephrine, which not only improves mood but improve thinking caused stressful events. Exercise also forces the body’s central nervous system in improving the body’s overall ability to respond to stress.
Boosts self-confidence:
From losing weight to improving endurance and increasing muscle tone, there’s no shortage of physical benefits that come about from regular exercise. All those physical achievements can add up to a great boost of self-esteem and the confidence that comes with it. You will enjoy better-fitting clothes, a slimmer physique, and the ability to climb a hill without losing breath. All this adds up in building better confidence which again boosts your mental performance.
Better quality sleep:
If you have trouble getting a good night’s sleep or wish to improve the quality of sleep, exercise can help with that, too. Physical activity increases body temperature, which can have calming effects on the mind, leading to better sleep. Exercise also helps regulate your bodies’ built-in alarm clock that controls when we feel tired and when we feel alert.
Increases brain’s performance:
From building intelligence to strengthening memory, exercise boosts brainpower in a number of ways. Cardiovascular exercise creates new brain cells, a process called neurogenesis and improve overall brain performance. It also prevents memory loss by strengthening the part of the brain responsible for memory and learning. Physical activity also boosts creativity and mental energy. So if you’re in the need of inspiration, or looking to start something new, your next big idea could be just a walk or jog away.