As they say, “HEALTH is WEALTH” and to have a good and
better health, one must not neglect the impact of exercise.
Many people hit the gym or pound the pavement to improve
cardiovascular health, build muscle, and of course, get a rocking bod, but
working out has unexpected benefits,
too. For the past decade or so, scientists have pondered how exercising can
boost brain function. Regardless of age or fitness, studies show that making
time for exercise provides some serious mental benefits. Get inspired to
exercise by reading up on these unexpected ways that working out can benefit
mental health, relationships, and lead to a healthier and happier life overall.
Reduce stress. Rough day at the office?
Take a walk or head to the gym for a
quick workout. One of the most common
mental benefits of exercise is stress relief. Working up a sweat can help
manage physical and mental stress. Exercise also increases concentrations of
norepinephrine, a chemical that can moderate the brain’s response to stress. So
go ahead and get sweaty — working out can reduce stress and boost the body’s
ability to deal with existing mental tension. Win-win!
Boost happy chemicals.
Slogging through a few miles on the ‘mill can be tough, but it’s 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. For this reason, docs recommend that people suffering
from depression or anxiety (or those who are just feeling blue) pencil in
plenty of gym time. In some cases, exercise can be just as effective as
antidepressant pills in treating depression. Don’t worry if you’re not exactly
the gym rat type, getting a happy buzz from working out for just 30 minutes a
few times a week can instantly boost overall mood.
Improve self-confidence. Hop on the
treadmill to look (and more importantly, feel) like a million bucks. On a very
basic level, physical fitness can boost self-esteem and improve positive
self-image. Regardless of weight, size, gender, or age, exercise can quickly
elevate a person's perception of his or her attractiveness, that is,
self-worth. How’s that for feeling the (self) love?
Enjoy the great outdoors. For an extra boost of self-love, take
that workout outside. Exercising in the great outdoors can increase self-esteem
even more. Find an outdoor workout that fits your style, whether it’s
rock-climbing, hiking, renting a canoe, or just taking a jog in the park. Plus,
all that Vitamin D acquired from soaking up the sun (while wearing sunscreen,
of course!) can lessen the likelihood of experiencing depressive symptoms. Why
book a spa day when a little fresh air and sunshine (and exercise) can work
wonders for self-confidence and happiness?
Prevent cognitive decline. It’s unpleasant, but it’s true — as we
get older, our brains get a little... hazy. As aging and degenerative diseases
like Alzheimer’s kill off brain cells, the noggin actually shrinks, losing many
important brain functions in the process. While exercise and a healthy diet
can’t “cure” Alzheimer’s, they can help shore up the brain against cognitive
decline that begins after age 45. Working out, especially between age 25 and
45, boosts the chemicals in the brain that support and prevent degeneration of
the hippocampus, an important part of the brain for memory and learning.
Alleviate anxiety. Quick Q&A: Which
is better at relieving anxiety — a warm bubble bath or a 20-minute jog? You
might be surprised at the answer. The warm and fuzzy chemicals such as adrenaline,that are released during
and after exercise can help people with anxiety disorders calm down. Hopping on
the track or treadmill for some moderate-to-high intensity aerobic exercise can
reduce anxiety sensitivity.
Boost brainpower. Those buff lab rats
might be smarter than we think. Various studies on mice and men have shown that
cardiovascular exercise can create new brain cells and improve overall brain
performance. Ready to apply for a Nobel Prize? Studies suggest that a tough
workout increases levels of a brain-derived protein in the body, believed to
help with decision making, higher thinking, and learning. Smarty (spandex)
pants, indeed.
Sharpen memory. Get ready to win big at
Go Fish. Regular physical activity boosts memory and ability to learn new
things. Getting sweaty increases production of cells in hippocampus responsible
for memory and learning. For this reason, research has linked children’s brain
development with level of physical fitness (take that, recess haters!). But
exercise-based brainpower isn’t just for kids. Even if it’s not as fun as a
game of Red Rover, working out can boost memory among grown-ups, too. A study
showed that running sprints improved vocabulary retention among healthy adults
.
Help
control addiction. The brain releases dopamine, the “reward chemical” in
response to any form of pleasure, be that exercise, sex, drugs, alcohol, or
food. Unfortunately, some people become addicted to dopamine and dependent on
the substances that produce it, like drugs or alcohol. On the bright side,
exercise can help in addiction recovery. Short exercise sessions can also effectively
distract drug or alcohol addicts, making them de-prioritize cravings. Working
out when on the wagon has other benefits, too. Alcohol abuse disrupts many body
processes, including circadian rhythms. As a result, alcoholics find they can’t
fall asleep (or stay asleep) without drinking. Exercise can help reboot the
body clock, helping people hit the hay at the right time.
Increase relaxation. Ever hit the hay after a long run or weight
session at the gym? For some, a moderate workout can be the equivalent of a
sleeping pill, even for people with insomnia. Moving around five to six hours
before bedtime raises the body’s core temperature. When the body temp drops
back to normal a few hours later, it signals the body that it’s time to sleep.
Get more done.
Feeling uninspired in the cubicle? The solution might be just a short walk or
jog away., some experts believe that midday is the ideal time for a workout due
to the body’s circadian rhythms.
Tap into
creativity. Most people end a tough workout with a hot shower, but maybe we
should be breaking out the colored pencils instead. A heart-pumping gym session
can boost creativity for up to two hours afterwards. Supercharge post-workout
inspiration by exercising outdoors and interacting with nature (see benefit #4).
Next time you need a burst of creative thinking, hit the trails for a long walk
or run to refresh the body and the brain at the same time.
Inspire others.
Whether it’s a pick-up game of soccer, a group class at the gym, or just a run
with a friend, exercise rarely happens in a bubble. And that’s good news for
all of us. Studies show that most people perform better on aerobic tests when
paired up with a workout buddy. Pin it to inspiration or good old-fashioned
competition, nobody wants to let the other person down. In fact, being part of
a team is so powerful that it can actually raise athletes’ tolerances for pain.
Even fitness beginners can inspire each other to push harder during a sweat
session, so find a workout buddy and get moving!..Thank You
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