Regular exercise offers more than a fit body. It also helps us with a fit and healthy mind. Regular exercise gives you an enormous sense of well being. It helps with anxiety, stress and with getting a better sleep at night. No matter how old you are or what your fitness level is, you can always use exercise as a powerful tool to boost your physical and mental energy.
Some of the amazing benefits of exercise on our mental health are:
Boosts your memory
Exercise boosts your memory and thinking skills both directly and indirectly. It reduces the insulin resistance and inflammation along with promoting the chemicals that support the growth of new blood vessels in the brain, and improves their overall health. Studies show that people who do regular exercise of moderate intensity have better memory and thinking skills and the part of the brain that performs this action is also larger in volume.
Exercise also promotes your memory by improving your mood and sleep. Aim for an exercise with moderate intensity. Start with a few minutes a day and gradually reach your goal at a pace you are comfortable with.
Improves your self-confidence
Exercise helps you feel stronger and gain a sense of self-accomplishment. It makes you feel strong and powerful. Creating an exercise routine and sticking to it gives you a sense of discipline and control. As your fitness and overall health improves, it can have a positive effect on your self-esteem.
Less is more
Studies show that a 30 minute moderate exercise produces more beta endorphins than a high intensity workout. It lowers your cortisol levels and the hormones associated with stress and anxiety. On the other hand, high intensity workouts may contribute to some amount of anxiety considering the competition and intensity. The psychological benefits of moderate exercise tend to stay longer than high intensity workout.
Yoga, meditation, and tai chi also helps you reduce anxiety, stress, depression, anger and brings your mental health into balance. Meditation stimulates the part of the brain that controls happiness and healthy immune function. Just sit in a straight comfortable position, take a deep breath, stretch your back in cobra pose, or relax in child pose. This helps you to stay calm, composed, and regulate your mind and body.