(Collaborative post) This post looks a How Exercise Can Influence Mental Health and why we all need to incorporate exercise into our lives.
How many times has your partner or housemate come back from exercising and appeared reenergised? They might even seem more positive and appear happier than when they were when they left the house.
There are several reasons for this. While the reopening of gyms and getting back to normality could be a major reason for people feeling more positive. Also, exercise itself can have a positive impact on your mental health.
Here’s a look at the connection between your physical and mental health and what this means after lockdown.
How Exercise Can Influence Mental Health
The Impact of lockdown
Last year has been like no other. For many, the easing of restrictions means there’s more freedom to get life back on track and ease back into routines, albeit in a more cautious, socially distanced way.
Going back to the gym for that class you loved can seem daunting after so long away. You might be asking yourself questions like: will I be able to exercise like I used to? What will it be like to enter the gym now? Will I be able to build up my stamina? Anxiety around these, and other pandemic caused concerns, are totally normal.
It may be that you’ve been trying to exercise at home during lockdown. Or, you might have paused all activity because you didn’t want to risk an injury requiring medical attention when many medical professionals were focused elsewhere. And then, what if your treatment for your home gym-related injury didn’t go to plan?
There’s never a good time to hurt yourself, but in the middle of the pandemic, resources were minimal. Therefore, it’s totally understandable that some stopped exercising as much until recently.
Now that we can get back into some physical activities, it’s worth looking at how exercise boosts mental wellbeing.
The Science Bit
Exercise stimulates the release of endorphins into the blood stream. These feel-good chemicals can act as a happiness booster and stress reliever. That’s why your partner came back from their run beaming or why your housemate returned from her power walk with a skip in her step.
While endorphins are the main chemicals boosting your mood after you’ve exercised, there are others that add to this feeling of euphoria. Dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine are also stimulated.
Increases in serotonin levels will lift your mood, while dopamine is another feel-good chemical. Add to that, norepinephrine, the chemical that triggers the energy-producing process in the body, and it’s clear from a scientific point of view that physical activity not only boosts mood but also energy levels.
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The Impact on Mental Health
By moving our bodies, we are triggering the release of these feel-good chemicals. As well as helping with our overall wellbeing and making us happier, improving our physical health can affect our mental health.
By tiring ourselves out with a quick 30 lengths in the local pool, we’re more likely to sleep better. Also, we’re more likely to reduce stress and anxiety levels. This is because, in addition to the feel-good chemicals, physical activity releases cortisol, which helps us to manage stress. This, combined with the fact that exercise serves as a distraction from everyday stresses, means it can be a positive coping strategy.
Now you know How Exercise Can Influence Mental Health, are you looking to exercise more?
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I’ve realised this more so during lockdown as we as a family have been heading out for walks in a bit to keep fit as well as to keep our sanity and our mental health in check
Walks are great aren’t they, plus they tire out the kids lol.
Yes, exercise can bring more oxygen rich blood to our brains helping us to think more clearly.
It does help in various ways. It’s great that exercise can help with our mood and ability to think.
I do try to jog daily. It seems to clear my head when I don’t feel like I’m about to pass out.
Might be an idea to ease up a bit if you feel ill. Good you exercise daily though x
I exercise every day. In addition to helping me stay in shape physcially, I notice that my mind feels so much better, too.
It really can help clear the mind especially when you feel stressed.
I find that when I stay on my exercise routine, my mental health is so much better. My mood just tends to stay more even.
Exercise really does help boost your mood, it’s great.
This is such a wonderful read, thanks for sharing your perspective.
I know that my mood after exercise is always better. Running is my enjoyment every day.
I need to work up to running. Good to hear you enjoy doing it daily x
I couldn’t agree more and it’s so satisfying knowing that you did something for your well being.
It can be fun too x
This is so true – one of the main reasons I exercise is for my mental health. I find that I get very wound up and anxious if I don’t exercise – I’m like a dog!
Exercise is great. Not only does it help maintain/lose weight it can help in other areas too x
Although the gym wears me out, I feel so good after I have exercised. In general I feel that I have more energy and enthusiasm. It really is good for your mental health.
It’s great how good you feel with regular exercise.
After an hour of exercise I feel amazing. The same does my husband. So I think that physical activity is fundamental for our mental health!
It really does help you feel great.
I’m a firm believer that exercise boosts mental health. I observe that if I have exercised well, like in the morning, I tend to have a happier disposition throughout the day plus my focus is a lot better.
I always feel better physically and mentally after I have had a good workout and feel more energized as well.
I know what you mean. It’s great you can feel so much better.
Yes I will exercise more because of its benefits. I feel amazing after my morning exercise.
It is amazing the difference adding exercise to your routine makes.
Sooo agree with this. Exercise has got me through some of my bad times and really helped!!! great post.
It can give you such a great boost.
Physical exercise is incredibly good for your mental health. They go hand in hand!
They really do make a difference.
Exercise and fresh air 100 percent makes me feel better. When there are days when I am indoors with the children as it’s heavy rain, after a few hours we all feel stressed but as soon as we can get out in that fresh air and walk we all feel like new people, that’s just one example. Yoga makes me feel amazing mentally after too.
I don’t know why but it’s such a hard leap to motivate yourself to get out of the house but once you are out you feel so much better
It can be hard but as you said you feel much better when you get moving x
I always feel so good after I have done some exercise, even though I never want to do it in the first place. If I’m not in a good mood I go for something with music in it I love to try and shift the mood x
ha, I know what you mean. Sometimes it can be a struggle to get motivated.
Ok I certainly know folk who do love exercise because of the endorphins, but for me I just feel tired and low after serious exercise.
It might be an idea to start with light exercise and build up then x