Being a parent can be tiring—making meals, taking the kids to school, and going to work while balancing a social life. With all you have to do, exercising may be the last thing on your mind. You’re already tired enough as it is!
All you need is another cup of coffee and you’ll be fine, right? Not exactly.
Studies have shown that light to moderate exercises throughout the day is effective in fighting fatigue and can improve your mental health.
Sedentary Lifestyles Promote Fatigue
Fatigue is defined as a feeling of weariness, lack of concentration, and irritability, and can be caused by non-medical reasons such as:
- Lack of sleep
- Long periods of stress
- Long periods of mental and physical work
But for many people, fatigue is caused by a sedentary lifestyle such as office work. Also called “sitting disease,” a sedentary lifestyle can not only affect your physical health, but your mental health as well. As a parent, making sure that you are healthy is very important in keeping your own family healthy since you are your children’s role model.
Exercise to Prevent Fatigue
Exercising helps prevent fatigue in that it boosts your body’s production of endorphins, making you feel more energized and happy. When you are energized, you will be more likely to participate in family activities and take better care of yourself.
To get the benefits of exercising to prevent fatigue, you don’t have to do an intense workout. Simply taking a 15 minute walk or getting in some yoga will help improve your mental health and reduce feelings of fatigue.
Less Fatigue Means Improved Mental Health
As a parent, your mental health is important because you need to be able to take care of yourself and your family. If you’re a new mother suffering from postpartum depression, fatigue can take its toll on your mental health as it can affect maternal bonding. If you’re faced with fatigue and stress on a daily basis, your mental health can suffer, so exercise is recommended.
By preventing fatigue with a moderate daily exercise routine, you will become less stressed. With less stress, you will give your mental health the boost it needs and be less likely to develop depression.