Why Exercise Helps With Your Mental Health

Why Exercise Helps With Your Mental Health : May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a month where we focus on the mental health crisis affecting America. Not only that, but it’s a month where we try to make strides to improve our own mental health.

Even if you don’t have a severe mental illness, improving your mental health is important. It keeps you from losing it should stress happen. It keeps you sharp as you age. There are many ways to do this, but perhaps the best one is exercise.

Exercise is something anyone should do. Rain, shine, hot, or cold, exercise is important, and not just for staying in shape. Here are some reasons why exercise can improve your mental health.

It Releases Feel Good Chemicals

In the end, our emotions are all chemicals in the brain. Certain actions can release chemicals that can make you feel good or bad. When you work out, your brain releases endorphins. Endorphins can help relieve pain, meaning that exercise is great for those who are dealing in pain. In addition, endorphins make you feel good. Working out more can help you if you’re dealing with depression or are just in a bad mood in general.

Exercise Gives You a Routine

When you’re depressed, one of the worst parts about it is falling out of routine. Thus, one of the best ways to treat yourself is to go back in routine. Dedicating time to running or going to the gym can help with your depression because it helps create a routine. Find some time to work out, stick to it, and then you can improve your mental health in strides.

You Feel More Confident

If you’re dealing with body issues, or you want more strength, exercise can help you do just that. It doesn’t matter the reason. Maybe you’re a mom who wants to improve her body after having a kid. Perhaps you’ve been overweight all your life and want to see a change. As you start seeing results, you can end up feeling better about yourself and wanting to improve yourself even more.

You Can Make Friends

Another way exercise can help with your mental health is that you can improve your socialization. If you join a yoga class, for example, you can meet new friends and form bonds. Having a better social life can definitely improve your mental health, especially if you’re dealing with being alone all the time.

You Sleep Better

Another important way to improve your mental health is to sleep more. Not enough Americans are getting enough sleep. Some need more or less sleep than others, but if you aren’t getting enough sleep, you definitely can tell. Exercising more helps you unwind later, thus allowing you to fall asleep easier. If you’re having sleep issues, consider a bit of exercise. It may sound difficult, but trust us, it’s going to be worth it.

You Need to Eat Right Too

Your diet can have an impact on your mental health too. Some foods give you energy, which helps. Other foods keep you trim. Some foods even give your brain the health it deserves. That’s why you should eat as well as you work out.

Of Course, You Still Need Mental Health Treatment

If you’re dealing with severe depression, anxiety, and other mental health problems, exercise can certainly help, but you do need to give yourself other forms of treatment too. One good thing you should is to talk to a counselor. You can find one in person, or even online. Regain can help you improve.

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