Are you looking to improve your appearance? We all know that keeping fit is essential to ensuring that we are able to look our best. But did you know there are a host of mental health benefits of exercise?
That’s right, working out is not only good for the body, but it’s also fantastic for the mind. Here at Fit 4 Blast, one of the leaded concierge fitness coaches in New Jersey, we thought we would take a closer look at what the mental health benefits of exercise are.
Mental Health Benefits of Exercise
1. Boost your mood
There have been countless studies that have revealed that working out can have a positive impact on our overall mood. When you exercise, your body releases endorphins, which are hormones that help to make you not only feel better but have more energy, too.
Any form of physical activity can have this effect on your mood, from housework to going for a walk. However, a regular exercise routine is the best way to ensure you are able to stay happier and healthier.
2. Reduce stress
In the hustle and bustle of modern life, stress and anxiety are significantly on the rise. A 2020 study found that 77% of adults were feeling high levels of stress that was impacting their day-to-day life. That is why one of the biggest mental health benefits of exercise is its ability to help reduce feelings of stress.
Regularly working out helps to break the cycle of stress, releasing endorphins into your body to help relax tense muscles and give you a better night’s sleep.
3. Enhance your self-esteem
When was the last time you looked in the mirror and didn’t like what you saw looking back? You’re not alone. As a leading New Jersey concierge fitness coach, many of our clients begin their exercise program to improve their physical appearance.
However, when you start to improve your body shape, you will notice that your confidence and self-esteem increase with it. The happier you feel in your own body, the higher your sense of self-worth is.
4. Slow cognitive decline
One often-overlooked mental health benefit of exercise is that it has been shown to help cognitive decline in older people. When elderly people include physical activity into their life, the effects of diseases such as Alzheimer’s slow down, allowing them to live long and healthy lives.
While physical activity can help seniors already diagnosed with cognitive decline, further studies have shown that it is beneficial to younger adults, too. One particular study in England found that those adults who incorporated daily exercise into their lives were up to 30% less likely to develop dementia.
5. Treat depression
When you are depressed, the idea of working out and undertaking physical activity is furthest from your mind. However, studies have shown that 70% of participants noticed a significant improvement in their symptoms after exercising.
Not only does exercise help to ease the symptoms in those who are depressed, but a study conducted by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that it actually reduces the risk of developing the condition by 26%.
6. Ready to discover the mental health benefits of exercise?
If you’re ready to discover the many mental health benefits that come from exercise, Fit 4 Blast is here to help you. Our New Jersey Concierge Fitness program is designed to provide a holistic approach to your fitness, targeting not only your physical workout but also your lifestyle behaviors.
