People who exercise regularly tend to do so because it gives them an enormous sense of well being.
They feel more energetic throughout the day, sleep better at night, have sharper memories, and feel more relaxed and positive about themselves and their lives. And it’s also powerful medicine for many common mental health challenges.
Regular exercise can have a profoundly positive impact on depression, anxiety, ADHD, and more. It also relieves stress, improves memory, helps you sleep better, and boosts your overall mood. Research indicates that modest amounts of exercise can make a difference. No matter your age or fitness level, you can learn to use exercise as a powerful tool to feel better.
Exercise and depression
Studies show that exercise can treat mild to moderate depression as effectively as antidepressant medication but without the side-effects. Popular Youtuber Joe Weller mentions this in a recent video he uploaded, as he had been taking antidepressants over the past few years, but stopped as simply exercising at the gym helped regulate his emotions and control his depression. The video will be linked at the bottom of the page. Another example, a recent study done by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that running for 15 minutes a day or walking for an hour reduces the risk of major depression by 26%. In addition to relieving depression symptoms, research also shows that maintaining an exercise schedule can prevent you from relapsing.
Exercise is a powerful depression fighter for several reasons. Most importantly, it promotes all kinds of changes in the brain, including neural growth, reduced inflammation, and new activity patterns that promote feelings of calm and well-being. It also releases endorphins, powerful chemicals in your brain that energise your spirits and make you feel good. Finally, exercise can also serve as a distraction, allowing you to find some quiet time to break out of the cycle of negative thoughts that feed depression.
Exercise and anxiety
Exercise is a natural and effective anti-anxiety treatment. It relieves tension and stress, boosts physical and mental energy, and enhances well-being through the release of endorphins. Anything that gets you moving can help, but you’ll get a bigger benefit if you pay attention instead of zoning out.
In addition to greater physical fitness, some of the mental benefits of physical exercise include:
- Less tension, stress and mental fatigue
- A natural energy boost
- Improved sleep
- A sense of achievement
- Focus in life and motivation
- Less anger or frustration
- A healthy appetite
- A better social life
Research shows that moderate levels of exercise are best for most people.
Moderate means that you breathe a little heavier than normal, but are not out of breath. You should still be able to talk without passing out, for example!
