So in our previous blog post we discussed the 5 best benefits of physical exercise, however there are many more benefits to exercise than just the physical.

In this blog post we are going answer the question, why is exercise good for your mental health mental?

If you asked most people what are the physical benefits of regular exercise they would probably be able to list one or all of the following;

• Weight control
• Lowerblood pressure
• Control of diabetes
• Increase in energy

However if you then asked the same people, what are the mental health benefits to regular exercise? They may find this a little more challenging.

There are many great mental/psychological benefits to following a regular, well-structured and enjoyable physical exercise routine however if we had to pick just 5, which is harder than it sounds, these would be the following.

So without further ado we will proceed.

The Team Thomas top 5 mental health benefits to exercise. Exercise can help reduce the symptoms of depression and anxiety.

1. Exercise can reduce the symptoms of anxiety and depression

Studies have shown exercise can have a positive effect on a persons’ mood and can decrease the symptoms f both depression and anxiety. Physical activity increases endorphin levels within the brain and spinal cord and these produce feelings of both happiness and euphoria due to the “feel good” effects of that the endorphins produce. Even if you only follow a moderate program of physical exercise the effects on depression and anxiety can be significant, so much so some doctors actively encourage the up take of physical exercise before turning to medication.

2. Exercise can increase brain activity.

Exercise can increase mental activity and brain health in a number of ways, including building intelligence and strengthening memory. Medical studies have shown that by taking up moderate exercise new brain cells are created and an overall improvement in brain function. It is also great in slowing down the degenerative effects of aging and memory loss by strengthening the area of the brain required for memory and learning. These are all great reasons to exercise by themselves but if you add in that physical exercise also improves creativity and mental energy there really is no better time to start exercising than right now.

3. Decrease in stress levels

In this day and age stress levels on the whole for most people are increasing at quite a frightening rate. This can have a very negative effect on a persons’ metal and physical well-being. Life today for some can be a battle from when they wake up to when they go to bed so knowing physical exercise can help reduce stress can be a very useful thing to know and can lead to making us happier and able to deal with everyday life a little easier. Raising your heart rate during moderate exercise can actually reduce stress levels by reducing stress induced brain damage, improve brain activity and mood. This can then have a knock on effect of improving a persons’ ability to think clearly in stressful situations and improve the body’s overall ability to react to stress.

4. An increase in self-cofidence and self-esteem.

There are no shortage of physically achievements that come from following a regular exercise routine ranging from improvements in physical endurance and muscle strength to losing body fat and a change in body shape. These improvements have a double benefit, not only do they have massive physical benefits they also have massive mental and psychological benefits such as increased self-confidence and a massive boost in self-esteem. You may not have started out with better fitting clothes, a slimmer body and the ability to do more than you though possible as your goal, but when you realize you have achieved these it can be a great lift to your body, mind and spirit.

5. Better quality of sleep.

Exercise can also help if you are struggling to get a good nights sleep. Physical activity can have a very calming effect on the mind which can result in less mind chatter leading up to and during the time you are trying to fall asleep. Add this to the regulating the body’s circadian rhythm(the bodies ability to control when we feel tired and when we are alert) then we can achieve a state of being tired and calm at the right time and being alert and ready for action. That being said and although improved sleep is a psychological and mental benefit to exercise we do recommend not exercising to near the time you want to go to sleep and ideally a couple of hours before.

So Why Is Exercise Good For Your Mental?

In a nutshell

• Reduces the symptoms of anxiety and depression
• Increases brain activity
• Decreases stress
• Increaes self-confidence and self-esteem
• Improves sleep patterns and quality of sleep

As well as these great mental benefits to physical activity the actual amount of time needed to see a significant improvement is very reasonable. In total, it is around 150 minutes of exercise split up into 5 manageable chunks(30 minutes) per week. The exercise you do is entirely up to you although we are a little biased and love the great outdoors it really is a person choice. You can mix it up as well, with slightly longer exercise sessions across a multitude of activities, the choice is yours. With results being seen in as little as 6 weeks now really is the best time to start.

We hope you found this article informative and enjoyable and if we can help you in any way please get in touch.

Many thanks,

Team Thomas