Exercise and Mental Health: Benefits of Self-Care

There’s a kind of rush and sense of euphoria that comes from getting your body moving. You could be dancing, running, roller-skating, doing parkour, cycling, lifting weights, or playing a game of pickleball, but when you get moving, it feels good. We are “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14, ESV), and our bodies, minds, and emotions work together in connected and often complicated ways, meaning that mental health is important.

Mental health and you

When you’re not doing alright in one area of your life, that can have an impact on other areas. If your mental health suffers, for instance, that affects your ability to work, play, and have meaningful interactions with others. According to the World Health Organization, mental wellness is about being able to cope with the stresses of life, realize your abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute meaningfully to your community.

Good mental health allows you to build relationships with others, and make decisions that affect your environment. Many issues can affect a person, and these include factors that aren’t in their control, like genetics, experiences of trauma, or the environment that one is in. There are different ways a person’s mental health can be affected, and the effects can range from mild to severe.

There’s a lot of public education that’s still needed regarding mental health, and a good deal of that can be directed at building awareness that mental health issues are common, and there’s no shame in seeking help. Depending on the issue, sometimes taking simple self-help measures will set things right, but in other cases, the intervention of a mental health professional and treatment that includes medication may be required.

Some signs of poor mental health

When a person is affected negatively by one thing or another, it affects them in various ways. Some of the things to look out for that might indicate poor mental health include loss of joy, mood swings, disrupted sleep, excessive worry, reckless behavior, substance abuse, trouble concentrating, feeling guilty or hopeless, withdrawing from loved ones, and changes in appetite.

It is important to see a doctor or professional therapist to discuss these or any symptoms and receive a proper diagnosis.

The benefits of exercise

Exercise is one of the ways you can help to boost your mental health. It has numerous benefits for mental health, but it’s important to remember that exercise is not a replacement for professional mental health treatment. While it won’t replace consulting with and following the advice of a mental health professional like a counselor, psychiatrist, or therapist it can be a valuable complement to traditional therapies.

Some of the many benefits of exercise for your mental health include:

Enhancing cognitive function

Exercise improves cognitive functions such as concentration, memory, and problem-solving skills.

Reducing stress and anxiety

When you’re stressed, your body releases cortisol, the stress hormone. If stress isn’t addressed, it can affect bodily functions and lead to conditions such as hypertension and a weakened immune system. Exercise can help to alleviate stress and anxiety by releasing tension and improving your mood.

Improving your mood

Doing physical activity stimulates the release of neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine, also known as ‘feel-good’ hormones, which can elevate or boost your mood and energy. Doing a quick workout of whatever sort can help improve how you feel.

Improving self-esteem

Regular exercise can help you feel more comfortable in your body, and you can grow in your appreciation of what your body can do. This can work to improve your self-confidence and body image.

Reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety

Regular physical activity can help manage symptoms of depression and anxiety, and improve your overall mental well-being. Additionally, exercise has been shown to reduce symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in some individuals.

Improving your sleep

Many benefits come from getting good sleep, including improving your emotional regulation, helping with weight management, boosting your memory and learning, increasing your ability to concentrate, and helping heart health, to name a few. Exercise can help you regulate your sleep patterns and improve the quality of sleep you get each night.

Improved social connection

Exercising helps you to be out and about with others, and these interactions can help build social connections and reduce feelings of loneliness. As relational beings, being connected to others fulfills a deep human need for connection and intimacy.

Improving overall mental well-being

Doing regular physical activity can contribute to having an overall sense of well-being and life satisfaction.

Your mental well-being matters, and you should take steps to ensure that you function to your fullest ability. Reach out and speak to a mental health professional who can work with you to understand what is undermining your well-being, and to provide you with the tools and skills to cope with the ups and downs of daily life as well as extraordinary events that affect mental health.