Exercise Improves Mental Health

Everyone at some point experiences bad feelings, like stress, anxiousness, sadness, and fatigue. When these bad feelings present themselves, it is useful to have a go-to method to help reduce their intensity and duration. The good news is that one of the most effective methods to improve your mental health and combat bad feelings is also one of the most accessible. And that method is: physical activity. And no, I do not mean only running hard or lifting heavy weights, although these are great physical activities to do if you enjoy them! There are many different examples of exercises that help to improve mental health, including going for a walk or hiking, biking, gardening, playing a sport competitively or recreationally, like soccer, pickle ball, or tennis, or going to a dance or exercise class. Any activity that elevates our heart rate and stimulates our muscles for a length of time releases a chemical, called endorphins, into our body, boosting our mood and mitigated these bad feelings. Bonus points, or should I say, bonus endorphins, if you can do these activities outside, in the sunshine, surrounded by nature and with a friend. Even for those who have medical conditions that cause bad feelings, like clinically diagnosed anxiety or depression, can still greatly benefit from participation in physical activity. I encourage you to explore a variety of physical activities to find the ones you enjoy most!