Three primary benefits of exercise dramatically affect mental health.
The first is anxiety, the second is mood, and the last is self-esteem or self-worth.
Exercise and Anxiety
Numerous research studies have shown that even a single bout of aerobic exercise will reduce anxiety. Aerobic exercise has benefited patients with various anxiety disorders, panic disorders, post-traumatic stress disorders, and depression.
Movement creates favorable changes in a person’s biochemistry by increasing neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine. These neurotransmitters are essential for feeling happy and calm.
Exercise and Mood
Exercise also decreases stress hormones like cortisol which keeps blood pressure and heart rate high even while resting. Therefore, with the added sense of competence, competition, achievement, and social support, exercise profoundly benefits a person’s overall emotional and mental health.
Exercise and Self-Esteem
Exercise has even been shown to increase self-esteem and self-worth rapidly. One of the biggest dilemmas in exercise is self-statements that produce unpleasant feelings about the task at hand, leading to negative beliefs about exercise and oneself. When these negative thoughts or feelings enter the mind, it’s essential to recognize the trap and even say to yourself, “STOP!”
The stop command will remind the exerciser of the unpleasant effects of the negative self messages and allow for more uplifting and encouraging messages to be sent to the brain. Over time it will become easier to view exercise as a positive and attainable method of well-being, thus, leading to overall better life satisfaction.
Happy Training!
