There are many reasons why exercise is good for your body. We all know the benefits we gain from it like a healthy heart and improved flexibility, but another great benefit of exercise is improved mental health and well-being.

We as a community need to access exercise not just as something for physical gain but something that has a positive impact on our mental health. That’s why it’s not just going to the gym but finding ways to be active that counts towards a better lifestyle for us. So, here are a few ways physical activity impacts our mental well-being.

Improves Your Mood 

Many studies have looked into the correlation between physical activity and mood and they’ve seen a huge way exercise impacts your mood.

You can ask anyone who does frequent exercise and they’ll agree that their moods are lifted immediately after periods of activity. It doesn’t have to be anything intense, it can be a walk or doing some housework. Exercise affects your mood and starting your day with some form of exercise is trusted to set it on the right path. 

Great Stress Relief 

Many times when we are in stressful situations, our bodies create a stress response that manifests as uncomfortable physical symptoms that make us behave differently and impact our productivity.

These problems can be distorted sleep patterns, loss of appetite and even increased blood pressure. Physical exercise can be effective in relieving these stress conditions, your body is conditioned to cope with these issues better.

A Self Esteem Boost

A key indicator of your mental well-being is how you feel about yourself and perceive your self worth and physical activity has a huge impact on these things. 

Exercise makes you feel better about yourself and your relationship with your body improves, pushing your self-esteem to greater heights. 

Impact On Cognitive Decline

Physical activity has been identified as a protective factor for dementia. It is said to reduce one’s risk for cognitive decline and in those that have already developed the disease, physical activity delays further decline. 

So it’s a great idea to be physically active now so you prevent loss of your cognitive function.

These are just some of the ways exercise impacts our mental health and our advice to you is this: you don’t need to invest in expensive gear or gym memberships, start small and develop into a routine you enjoy. Exercise should be a fun challenge and your mental health will thank you in the end.