The Mind-Body Connection
Moving. It has a huge impact on our mental well-being – and in today’s on-the-go world, maintaining our mental health is as important as maintaining our physical health. We want to shed some light on the relationship exercise and mental health share, a little of the science behind it, and then offer some practical tips on how you can make exercise part of your everyday life.
The Science Behind Exercise and Mental Health
If you were asked what exercise can do for you, your answer would probably be it can help build muscle and shed pounds. And you wouldn’t be wrong. But it can also help nurture your mental well-being. The cascade of feel-good chemicals that get released when you exercise – endorphins, serotonin, dopamine – play an important role in regulating mood and reducing feelings of stress and anxiety. So, with more movement in your life, you’re effectively boosting your overall sense of well-being.
It’s All About An Active Life
On the flip side, being physically inactive in life can take a toll on your mental health. Depression, anxiety disorders, feelings of lethargy, low mood, and even cognitive decline, can all stem from a sedentary lifestyle. Being a mover isn’t just important to maintaining your physical self, but your mental self too.
Build Healthy Exercise Habits
If there’s one thing you should do when it comes to exercising, it’s finding something you enjoy doing. That’s it – it’s really that simple. Your movement can be a brisk walk in the park, a kick-around at your local park, an energising yoga session, swimming the lanes, or a heart-pumping cardio workout. And that’s just naming a few things.
Aim for at least 30 minutes moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week and keep things interesting by mixing it up. Remember: we all move differently, so whatever you do, make sure it’s something you take enjoyment from, and then do it consistently, as that’s key to feeling the benefits of exercise on mental health.
