While the benefits of physical fitness on your body and physique are well-documented, multiple pieces of research have shown people who exercise regularly are more likely to feel satisfied and have a positive outlook on their lives. They tend to feel more energetic and sleep better at night, directly improving their mental health.
Staying active can help people with various mental health conditions, such as ADHD, depression, and anxiety. Whether you’re a fitness enthusiast or not, you must start taking advantage of exercise.
Depression
Studies have shown that regular exercise can help treat mild to moderate depression and prevent it from returning to its former state. A study by the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health revealed that walking for an hour or running for 15 minutes daily can reduce the likelihood of major depression.
Mild to moderate exercise can promote various changes in the brain, releasing endorphins, powerful chemicals that can boost one’s mood. Finally, exercise can help people find a quiet time to break out negative thoughts.
Anxiety
Getting active is a natural and effective way to treat anxiety. It can relieve stress and tension, boost mental and physical energy, and release endorphins, improving one’s well-being. Although anything that gets one moving can help, focusing on the small details can make a big difference.
To improve one’s physical condition, try to pay attention to the small details of your body, such as the feeling of your feet hitting the ground or the rhythm of your breathing. Doing so can help you avoid getting distracted and focusing on the negative thoughts that constantly run through your head.
Recommended Reading: Prioritize Your Fitness – How to Include Fitness Activities in a Busy Day?
Stress
When stressed, your body may tense up, especially in your shoulders, neck, and face. It can cause you to feel pain in your back or neck, as well as a feeling of tightness in your chest. Other physical symptoms such as diarrhea, stomachache, frequent urination, and heartburn can also worsen stress levels and create a vicious cycle between your body and mind.
Getting active can help break this cycle and relieve the tension in your body. Since the mind and body are so closely related, a better feeling will also help your mind.
ADHD
A tried and tested way to treat ADHD is by exercising regularly. Doing so can help decrease the symptoms of this condition and improve one’s motivation and concentration. In addition to boosting the brain’s dopamine, regular exercise can also help boost the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine, which are known to affect attention and focus.
Trauma and PTSD
Focusing on the sensations of your body as you exercise can help you break the negative effects of trauma or PTSD. This can help you get rid of the stress response that’s associated with this condition. Instead of letting your mind wander, pay attention to the sensations of your body as you move.
Yoga exercises and flexibility/mobility workouts that involve both legs and arms are ideal for people with PTSD or trauma. Besides regular exercise, other activities such as rock climbing, sailing, and mountain biking can also help decrease the symptoms of PTSD.
Getting active is a great way to improve your mental health and reduce the effects of stress. It’s not necessary to spend a lot of time at the gym or spend a lot of time running. For people who are already at a healthy weight, a 30-minute exercise session is enough.
Benefits of Yoga for Mental Health
Aside from being beneficial for physical health, yoga can also help people manage stress levels. According to Dr. Michael Nevins, stress can manifest in various ways, such as headaches, poor concentration, and back or neck pain. It can help people develop coping skills and improve their outlook on life.
Practicing yoga can help people improve their mental health by incorporating breathing and meditation into their practice. Regular yoga practice can help people relieve stress and improve their concentration. It can also help them develop a more balanced body and self-awareness.
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If you don’t have the time to exercise for a couple of hours, or if your body says you should take a break after a few minutes, that’s fine. However, start with a 5- or 10-minute session and gradually increase your exercise duration.
You should commit to at least one moderate exercise session per day. As your routine becomes established, you can add more minutes to your exercise or try other types of exercise. The benefits of exercise will start to accrue as you keep going.
If you’re finding it difficult to transition from a sedentary lifestyle to one characterized by physical fitness, yoga can be an excellent way to help your body get used to challenging yourself physically.
For more fitness advice and the benefits of regular yoga, FitEngine is here to help; we are a platform dedicated to helping beginners reap the numerous benefits of yoga. You can work towards a healthier, happier you through our stretching yoga classes in New York City.
Learn about different fitness regimes through our blog, or enrol in one of our sessions in Midtown Manhattan at LifeSpan Pilates. We offer stretch, adult gymnastics and Pilates classes.
Get in touch with FitEngine to know more about our affordable fitness classes in NYC.
