Many people swing by the gym, hit the bags, or pound the pavement to improve cardiovascular health, build muscle, and of course, get that lean mean fighting machine, but working out can boost your brain function too! Despite your age or fitness level (yup, this includes everyone from dog-walkers to spin-class enthusiasts), studies show that making time for exercise provides some serious mental benefits. Get inspired to exercise by catching up on these unexpected ways that working out can benefit mental health, relationships, and lead to a healthier and happier life overall.
1. Handle Stress
It’s true that exercise increases concentrations of norepinephrine, a chemical that can moderate the brain’s response to stress. This is a win-win – so go ahead and get sweaty — work out and reduce your stress and boost your body’s ability to deal with existing mental tension.
2. Boost the Buzz
Any activity to get you going is worth the effort! Exercise releases endorphins, which create feelings of happiness and euphoria. Studies have shown that exercise can even alleviate symptoms among the clinically depressed. If you’ve ever worked out before, you don’t need a study to tell you that. Feeling a happy buzz from working out for just 30 minutes a few times a week can instantly boost overall mood. Count me in!
3. Improve self-confidence
On a very fundamental level, physical fitness can boost self-esteem and improve positive self-image. Regardless of shape, size, gender, or age, exercise can quickly elevate a person’s perception of his or her attractiveness, that is, self-worth. Do I hear show me the love?
4. Prevent cognitive decline
Did you know working out boosts the chemicals in the brain that support and prevent degeneration of the hippocampus, an important part of the brain for memory and learning? This benefit is realised, especially between the ages of 25 and 45. Prevent age-related brain decline by exercising?.. Sign me up!
5. Alleviate anxiety
People with anxiety disorders can calm down by the warm and fuzzy chemicals that are released during and after exercise. Hopping in a kick-boxing class or taking a spin class for moderate-to-high intensity aerobic exercise may reduce anxiety sensitivity. High Intensity Interval Training (HIITT) anyone?
6. Sharpen memory
Get ready to kick butt at Concentration. Consistent physical activity boosts memory and your ability to learn new things. Breaking out in a sweat increases production of cells in the hippocampus responsible for memory and learning. Wonderful to note, research has linked children’s brain development with level of physical fitness (let the children play!), as well as boosting memory among us grown-ups, too.
Working out can have positive effects far beyond the gym (and beach season). Gaining self-confidence, fostering feel good feelings, and even improving your memory are some of the motivations to make time for exercise on a regularly scheduled basis.
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