“A sound mind in a healthy body.” Have you ever heard this Czech proverb? Exercise, and by that we mean not only lifting heavy weights but also brisk walking, running, swimming, or any aerobic activity, has been shown to improve brain function, memory, and self-confidence.
People who exercise regularly concentrate better at school, they are more efficient at work and age more slowly. What are the other benefits of exercise for our mental health? Read below.
Anxiety and Stress Reduction
Whether you’re doing an aerobic activity, running, or lifting dumbbells, each of these activities helps your body release beta-endorphins, often referred to as happiness hormones. These hormones are associated with feelings of blessedness or euphoria. They also tend to minimize exercise discomfort and block feelings of pain. Their level rises for about 10 to 15 minutes as soon as you start exercising and remains elevated for about half an hour after the end of physical activity.
Those who exercise regularly are less prone to anxiety and cope better with daily stress. Especially individuals who work in higher positions or run a company usually exercise twice to three times a week because it strengthens their minds and makes them more resilient to work stress.
Making better choices
The main motivation for exercise is often either to lose weight, strengthen a specific part of your body, or gain muscle mass. If you focus specifically on losing weight, you will naturally start making better food choices. Once you change your diet, you begin to feel better immediately because you have made a better, more beneficial, and a healthier choice that will move you closer to your goal.
It is not just about starting to eat dietary or healthier foods, but above all, about the feeling that we have found the courage and strength to make a change in our lifestyle and began to make better food choices.
You may start eating half a portion or choose a fresh salad instead of a heavy side dish such as a fatty baguette or french fries. If you focus on firming the abdomen or want to burn fat in that area, you will reach for healthy foods that burn belly fat and start drinking more water, which is absolutely vital both during weight-loss and during working out.
In addition to better food choices, you will think more about your habits. Instead of taking a bus to a store two blocks away, you will walk there. Instead of taking the elevator to the third floor, you will go up the stairs. Instead of paying to wash the car in the car wash, you wash your car yourself. And why all this? Because you know that any activity burns calories to help you reach your dream figure and gives you a great feeling.
Higher self-confidence and social relationships
The very act of exercising can strengthen not only our physical strength but also our inner strength. Several studies have shown that people who exercise regularly are more competent, confident, and have better social relationships. Exercise also gives us higher resilience and confidence that will improve our social relationships and how we feel in the company of other people.
Feeling good in your own skin is undoubtedly important, and exercise along with better and healthier choices is guaranteed to help you with that. If you are exercising primarily to burn off the belly fat and six-pack abs are one of your goals, take a look at these best ab workouts.
Greater zest for life
Diverting attention from everyday stress and worries is one of the great benefits of exercise. But that’s not all! Due to the increase in the secretion of norepinephrine, also known as noradrenaline, our mood improves, energy is “pumped into our veins,” and we have more zest for life.
The more you immerse yourself in the world of exercise, the greater the desire to work on yourself and take your workouts to the next level.
Conclusion
Whether you are a complete beginner or an advanced athlete, these were some of the benefits of exercise that you should know. In addition to the fact that physical activity brings many health benefits, both for our physical and mental health, it’s also a powerful fuel for your life and fun activity worth adding into your schedule.
