According to the National Library of Medicine (NLM), aerobic exercises such as jogging, swimming, cycling, walking, gardening, and dancing have been shown to reduce anxiety and depression. (Image: Shutterstock)
Exercising daily can not only help you lose weight, but it also has other benefits associated with it. Read on to learn more.
Have you ever noticed that you feel happier and more energetic after exercising or walking briskly? Wondering why physical activity seems to have such a positive effect on your mood? Research suggests there is a strong connection between exercise and mental health. In today's society, where sedentary lifestyles are increasingly common, the role of exercise in improving mental health is gaining recognition. Physical movement plays a vital role in improving mood and improving overall mental health. By incorporating regular exercise into their routines, people can experience significant improvements in their well-being, highlighting the importance of lifestyle modifications in mental health care.
According to the National Library of Medicine (NLM), aerobic exercises such as jogging, swimming, cycling, walking, gardening, and dancing have been shown to reduce anxiety and depression. These improvements are thought to be due to increased blood circulation in the brain and impact on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which regulates the body's response to stress.
NLM explains that the HPA axis communicates with several regions of the brain, including the limbic system, which controls motivation and mood, the amygdala, responsible for fear responses, and the hippocampus, which plays a crucial role in regulation of memory and mood.
Exercise can also act as a distraction, improve self-efficacy, and promote social interaction, all of which contribute to improved mental health. While structured group programs can be effective, incorporating moderate-intensity activity throughout the day may be more suitable for most people.
Exercise has been found to reduce anxiety, depression, and negative mood, while improving self-esteem and cognitive function. It can relieve symptoms such as low self-esteem and social withdrawal, which are common in people with serious mental illnesses such as schizophrenia. Additionally, regular exercise can help manage weight, increase fitness levels, improve energy levels, and improve overall physical health, according to NLM.
There are many other benefits of regular exercise, including improved sleep cycle, improved sexual health, better stamina, stress relief, improved mood, increased energy and stamina, reduced fatigue, weight reduction and improved cardiovascular fitness.
Integrating physical activity interventions with traditional mental health treatments could further improve outcomes, emphasizing the importance of a holistic approach to mental health care.
In this era of exponential growth in metabolic syndrome (several conditions that increase the risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes) and obesity, lifestyle modifications could be a cost-effective way to improve health and quality of life , especially for people with serious illnesses. Mental illness. Many of these people are at high risk for chronic diseases associated with sedentary behavior and medication side effects, such as diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and cardiovascular disease. Lifestyle modifications, including regular exercise, can play a crucial role in improving physical and mental health outcomes.
More studies are being conducted to understand the impact of combining physical activity interventions with traditional mental health treatments, including psychopharmacology and psychotherapy.
