The Benefits of Exercise for Mental Health
According to Mental Health America, over 50 million Americans experienced mental illness in 2019-2020. There are many known treatments for these illnesses, such as medication or therapy, but one form of treatment is often overlooked.
Doctors Ashish Sharma, Vishal Madaan, and Frederick D. Perry state that exercise is proven to reduce anxiety and depression. In addition, it is not just one form of exercise that provides this benefit. Jogging, swimming, cycling, walking, and even gardening are associated with mental health.
Scientifically, these types of exercise promote increased blood flow to the brain and affect the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal, or HPA, which controls the body’s response to stress. The HPA communicates with various parts of the brain, including the limbic system, amygdala, and hippocampus. The limbic system controls feelings and motivation. The amygdala is responsible for the feelings of fear when the mind is stressed. Finally, the hippocampus is similar to the limbic system, but is also associated with memory. When blood circulation in the brain increases, these three parts of the brain work more effectively, which can improve stress levels and overall well-being.
For children and teens, sports are a fun and reliable way to exercise. In addition to the thrill and unpredictability of sports, athletics are a great way to build teamwork and camaraderie and reduce stress.
Many teens subconsciously use sports to temporarily relieve their thoughts and focus on something more fun and entertaining. Sports can make it easy for youngsters and adolescents to go outside and play with friends and rid themselves of negative thoughts and emotions.
For adults, frequent exercise can improve bodily response to disease and fuel elders to feel more energetic and mobile for their age. According to Healthline, at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity can help individuals sleep better. Adults who exercise 150 minutes and have two muscle-strengthening workouts per week can experience long-term sleep and health benefits.
According to a study conducted by Danyang Tian and Jinqi Meng, physical activity can enhance heart function, increase cardiac output, lower blood pressure, improve cholesterol levels, promote healthy weight, reduce visceral fat, and decrease the risk of type two diabetes.
Exercise can also be a motivator for those exposed to positive behavior. For example, if children see their mother and father exercising and in shape, it may inspire them to conduct themselves the same way. In this situation, families who exercise frequently and together can experience the mental health benefits as a group. Since physical activity is grueling and challenging, doing it with a family or friend can help allow members of the workout to feel motivated by their workout partners. Growing through adversity with others can create feelings of satisfaction and increased dedication to self-improvement.
Overall, exercise may also promote positive interpersonal relationships and mental health benefits. Studies show that the amount of time working out is directly proportional to mental and physical health benefits. Incorporating regular exercise into daily routines is a powerful and often underutilized strategy for improving mental health and fostering positive self-esteem.
