We know that incorporating fitness into our daily routine is great for our physical health. What is talked about less is the fact that working out not only has excellent benefits for your physical health, but also countless benefits for your mental health. Exercising regularly can boost your mood while reducing stress and anxiety. We are providing some science-backed reasons why working out can boost your mood and improve your mental health overall.
1. Exercise reduces stress and makes you happy!
Exercise has proven to reduce levels of the body’s stress hormones. Stress can wreak havoc on the body and mind, so finding ways to reduce stress can have copious benefits. Exercise also stimulates the production of endorphins which are those chemicals in the brain that boost your mood and serve as natural pain killers. They are also responsible for that feeling of relief, confidence, and positivity you feel after a solid workout. Plus, there is a great sense of accomplishment that follows a challenging workout or reaching a new goal in your fitness journey. If you’ve ever taken a Fhitting Room class, you know what we’re talking about.
On top of reducing stress, working out in a group kicks it up a notch. According to The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, group fitness, in particular, reduces stress by 26% and improves our quality of life. Group fitness adds a fun, community aspect. The entire act of coming together to do something challenging and motivating each other has benefits beyond the physical ones. It adds a social side that can get your mind off any other stressful worries you may have, it can introduce you to new people, and give you a reason to get out and do something positive for yourself. This is especially relevant coming out of pandemic isolation which had a major toll on mental health for many. A group workout is a great way to stay motivated and an opportunity to create a positive outing. With many people still working from home, heading to your favorite workout class is a great excuse to get fresh air, socialize, and do something great for yourself. Even a virtual group workout can give you the chance to meet new people, stay on track, and make your workout more fun.
2. Studies have noted that regular exercise can reduce the risk of depression.
For those currently struggling with depression, working out has been proven to reduce symptoms due to the mood-boosting endorphins and increased blood flow to the brain. The great part is, that it can have an effect pretty much immediately and exercise has even shown to be on par with antidepressant drugs.
If you’re unsure where to begin, even a small amount can make a difference. Sometimes the hardest part is just beginning.
3. Exercise makes you sleep better.
Getting a good night’s sleep is positively correlated with an individual’s mental health and is crucial to keeping the mind and body strong and functioning properly. As mentioned earlier, exercise reduces stress and anxiety which often leads to a better sleep routine. Even 30 minutes of daily aerobic exercise can be beneficial for sleep. Getting a full night’s rest on a regular basis is sometimes hard to achieve, but working out on a regular basis can help.
4. You can do it for FREE.
Working out can be therapeutic for the mind and the best part is you can do it for free. Whether it’s a scenic walk in your neighborhood, going for a jog, or doing a workout in your living room, the options are endless.
If you need another reason to start exercising, in addition to physical benefits, working out will uplift your mood, create a sense of accomplishment, provide social stimulation, and make you an overall healthier and happier human. If you’re working on improving your mental health, try incorporating fitness into your routine and see how you feel.
If you’re located in NYC, DC or New Jersey, you can come take our HIIT + Strength workouts in studio. If you’re not in NYC or prefer to work out at home we will bring the experience to you through our LIVE! at home workouts with 2-way communication.
We hope talking about this sensitive subject can help to end the stigma behind mental health. If you or anyone you know is struggling with mental health here are some resources you can use to get help. Remember to always check in on your strong friends too. ????????