Why Working Out Is Good For Mental Health
Exercise not only benefits your physical well-being, but it also helps keep your mind sharp. Physical fitness is trending, but so is mental health, and the two go hand in hand when it comes to your overall health.
Regular physical activity releases endorphins in the body. Endorphins are chemicals that are released from the brain during exercise that typically give the body a positive feeling. According to the American Council on Exercise (ACE), mental health is an important and often-overlooked outcome of regular exercise. So, if you feel like you are ever unsure about starting a regular workout routine, consider these benefits it can have to your mental health.
Keep Your Brain Wired
Not only does exercising release endorphins that make you feel good during and after a workout, but it also helps keep your mind challenged. Performing different types of physical activity or learning how to do a new type of exercise can change how your brain is wired, which can help to improve your overall cognition and mental acuity. As you consistently work out, you boost the ability of your brain to use the right muscles, correctly, and it makes you feel good when you successfully complete a workout.
Increased Self-Esteem
While physical activity does help the way our body looks, that shouldn’t be the only reason you want to work out. Think about it. Sure, your body looks good and feels great, but how satisfying is it to nail down your form on a tough strength training exercise or yoga pose? Having that sense of satisfaction in your head is just as rewarding as making improvements in your physical appearance. Additionally, you can help increase your self-esteem by setting regular, consistent, timely, and attainable goals.
A Better Night’s Sleep
Because of the body’s need to recover from exercise, your brain will make you tired earlier and help you sleep more soundly throughout the night. The human body recovers at night when we sleep; this is the most profound effect of recovery from training sessions. Without sleep, you will not progress very far in your quest for fitness. After all, sleep is one of the most important factors in fitness.
Fitness and mental health are a positive and beneficial relationships that any individual should focus on because it ultimately will help them out in all aspects of their life and improve their overall well-being.