We are living in stressful times! The pandemic outbreak has changed the pace of our life. And it has become imperative to reduce stress and take care of our mental health. One of the best ways to do that is through regular exercise.
Daily exercise can have a positive impact on anxiety, depression, and ADHD prevalent in pandemic times. It also helps to enhance memory, boosts your mood, and relieves stress. Also, there is no need for you to be a fitness enthusiast to witness these advantages. According to several pieces of research, just a moderate amount of daily exercise can bring in positive differences in your life.
The benefits of exercise for mental health
- It helps to bring down stress
Are you feeling stuck as you work from home? If yes, you need to opt-in for a daily workout. One of the most standard advantages of exercise is stress reduction says Peter DeCaprio. It helps to balance mental and physical stress. That aside, exercise also maximizes norepinephrine, which is a chemical that manages the brain’s response to stress. Hence, it’s an excellent decision to go ahead and follow a daily exercise regime, as it can bring down your mental stress.
- Enhance self-confidence
Do you have a treadmill at home? If yes, you can hop on to it daily to exercise and also feel good. Physical fitness can help to improve a positive self-image and boost self-esteem. Irrespective of your size, age, weight, and gender, you can increase your body image through everyday exercise. And it will help you to feel good during the pandemic.
- Lessens anxiety
A 20-minute jog or a warm bubble bath – which do you think can reduce anxiety? Surprisingly, the fuzzy and warm chemicals released after and during exercise can alleviate stress. When you start running on the treadmill, it helps to bring down anxiety. You also end up burning calories which is a good bonus.
- Increases relaxation
Did you ever hit hay post a weight training session at the gym or long run? A moderate workout equals a sleeping pill for a few people, which is even true for individuals who have insomnia. When you move around about six hours before bedtime, it increases the core temperature of the body. And when the temperature drops down to normal after a couple of hours, it is a sign that you need to sleep.
- Enhance happy chemicals
You might get tired of running or walking on the treadmill, but it’s worth all your effort. Exercise helps to release endorphins that can result in a feeling of euphoria and happiness. Also, studies have indicated that exercise can enhance your mood and relieve symptoms of depression. Hence, today doctors and Peter DeCapriosuggest that people who are witnessing anxiety and depression should get into daily exercise. There are situations where exercise can prove to be as effective as an anti-depressant pill that can treat depression successfully. You don’t have to go to the gym to exercise. You can also join an online aerobics class and carry on with your exercise regime.
Hence, as you make lifestyle changes during the pandemic, you should also opt-in for exercise to boost your mental health.