Why is Exercise Good for Your Mental Health

What came first? The chicken or the egg? What does it matter if they’re both necessary to continue the circle of life? I feel that this concept can often be applied to physical and mental health. What caused what? Does physical activity and nutrition impact mental health? Or is mental health strictly impacted by genetics and emotional experience factors? The truth is, all of the above can have a great impact on mental health. Without getting too much into the nitty-gritty of biology, it’s important to note that our genes can function similarly to a car engine, in that they can remain turned off, or with the right circumstances, they can be turned on. Meaning, that although some people can be a carrier of a gene (such as depression), you can live your whole life without experiencing it, with the right environmental factors to keep that gene from turning on. We know this by studying identical twins that lived separate lives; where one twin may grow to struggle with mental illness and the other may not. These studies truly highlight the possibility of how environmental factors (nutrition, physical activity, emotional experiences, location, and more), can impact our mental health. 

The Happy Hormone

There are many things that happen in the body when exercising. We experience an increase in blood flow, strength in the heart, increased energy, and a release of endorphins. Endorphins stimulate a positive feeling very similar to morphine. Many people describe an increase in positive mood and energy after exercising, and is sometimes described as “euphoric.” Endorphins can also help with pain reduction in addition to stimulating a positive feeling. Of course, unlike morphine, there is no addictive component, it improves the quality of life and is absolutely free to do. Experiencing long-term release of endorphins is shown to lead to overall positive mental health, which may include decreased depressed mood and anxiety, increased self-esteem and confidence, while also tending to physical medical care. It’s important to note that it doesn’t take too much physical activity to get the benefits of endorphins. A simple walk for about 30 minutes or a stretching session can increase the release of endorphins, and improve mental health.

Routine, Consistency, Commitment to Self-Care

Although the physical act of exercise generates positive benefits for overall mental health, another positive benefit is the routine and consistency it can generate. When people decide to begin committing to physical activity in a consistent manner, they begin to develop inner structure and consistency. This often has the ability to mirror itself in other areas of life. This may include increased routine and consistency with work, personal goals, and much more.  

As you begin to build the skills of routine and consistency, this will naturally also begin to feed a habit of committing to self-care. In today’s time, it can feel extremely challenging to find time to take care of yourself, and as a result, can mean neglecting physical and mental health. Creating, saving, and making time for self-care further feeds the notion of prioritizing your needs, and therefore your mental health.  

Mindfulness

As you begin the journey of practicing physical activity, routine, consistency, and commitment to the self, this will also stimulate mindfulness. Mindfulness is described as practicing awareness in the present time and space you are in. Essentially, reducing how often we may think about the past or worry about the future, and focus on what is occurring in the here and now. Any form of self-care can help stimulate this, however, exercise can offer additional tools. When we exercise, we are often encouraged to be focused on the moment, as we try to challenge our physical body, our attention must remain on the task or exercise at hand and therefore focused on the moment. Mindfulness is one of the leading factors that lead to a reduction in anxiety and depression, as these mental health concerns are often triggered by worrying about the past and future. Although exploring and processing the root of any mental health concern is necessary and can take time, we know that these habits can aid in reducing overall mental health concerns and improving overall mental health. We may not know 100% what may cause mental health concerns in each individual, but we do know that simple steps, such as exercise, can take you on a steady journey to better mental health. With exercise comes endorphins, routine, consistency, commitment, self-care, mindfulness, a positive mindset and so much more. Taking this journey at a slow and steady pace will further ensure longevity and optimal results.