What Are The Psychological Benefits of Regular Exercise in Daily Life
Psychological Benefits of Regular Exercise
Ask anyone what exercise affect the most in our body and you will get the answer that it is good for our muscle power, physical strength, flexibility, weight control and cardiopulmonary conditioning. No doubt that these are the effect of exercise on our physical appearance. However, researches show the benefits of exercise are beyond physical well-being and exercise has psychological or mental benefits too. Exercise can promote psychological well-being as well as improve quality of life.
Anxiety, Depression and Stress
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Anxiety, Depression and Stress |
Confidence
Improved muscle strength, the tone of the body, controlled weight and diabetes all are physical achievements of physical exercise, but these also provide a feel of self-esteem, pride, increased satisfaction and confidence in physical accomplishments. Decrease in pain and improvement in physical performance fill you with confidence.
Motivation
The goals should be set based on individual’s capacity. Goals should be realistic and achievable. Achieving the goals step by step gives you feel of motivation. Decrease in Anxiety, Depression and Stress and building up of confidence and social relationship as a result of good and effective exercise training program bring and up lift the motivational level in individual. It drives to do more and better day by day. However, it should be monitored very closely as excessive exercise may lead to fatigue which in turn may result in lack of motivation.
Studies
have shown that the hormone named Irisin produced during exercise improve
cognition. Individuals who are physically active and perform regular
exercise demonstrate good grasping
power. Excercise enhance memory and
thinking by improving mood and sleep, and by reducing stress and anxiety.
Also Read: 8 Points to Improve your Memory
Sleep
When you don't get sufficient rest, you feel tired, you find it hard to
focus and recollect things and you might be irritable. Lack of sleep can also
impede your judgment and effect your actual coordination. Deficiency of enough
sleep impacts the way you think, work and interact with other people. Studies
show sleeplessness is often a symptom of mood disorders, such as depression and
anxiety. Regular exercise can help you sleep better.
Relationship
It offers a potential chance to come together and
get social help when you exercise with others. Exercise
and physical activity may give you the chance to meet or socialize with others.
Just exchanging a friendly smile or greeting as you walk around your
neighborhood can help your mood. It can
help bring about social support which in turn can improve individual’s
confidence and sense of achievement.
How much exercise is needed?
Research suggests that exercise is
well accepted by people with serious mental illness and is often considered one
of the most valued components of treatment. Studies show that the most
improvements in people with anxiety and depression are seen when they performed
rhythmic, aerobic exercises, using of large muscle groups (jogging, swimming,
cycling, walking), of moderate and low intensity. They should be conducted for
15 to 30 minutes and performed a minimum of three times a week in programs of
10-weeks or longer. You can start with a session of
5- or 10-minute per day initially and slowly increase the time period then. Even a brief
walk at low intensity can improve mood and increase energy. A 30 minutes session of moderate intensity
exercise of 3 times a week can produce long-term benefits.
While planning for the physical exercise regime or work out program,
you should be cautious about “over training”. Excessive work outs or over
training may deteriorate physical performance and you may miss the desired out
come. It is highly advisable that you should consult your
physician/physiotherapist/gym trainer regularly to get the best results.
Also Read - Top 9 Stretches to Do Everyday
A really good read. I'm facing a long road back to fitness following a health problem. Beforehand, I was very fit and without that I feel low and lacking in confidence. It's going to take some doing, but I can't wait to get back to full fitness!
ReplyDeleteGreat info! I struggle to get started with exercise, but knowing this helps mental health as well, it is a great motivator.
ReplyDelete