Being fit is the key to being physically and psychologically strong and healthy. A fitness routine is a great way to transform yourself. Fitness improves not only your physique but also your mental health. We generally associate fitness with physical health. But, fitness offers several psychological health benefits too. Exercise can make you emotionally strong and healthy. It can bring about a change in your overall mental well-being. Doing exercise daily can bring about a major transformation in your physical and mental wellness. Fitness is a major step towards improving your quality of life. Just a jog, run, or simply walk can work wonders to help you enjoy good health. A simple brisk walk for 45 minutes is enough to stay fit physically and psychologically.
How does Exercise Make You Feel Good?
Exercise releases endorphins when you sweat out. Endorphins are “happy hormones” that improve your mood by making you feel good and happy. Hormones play a very important role in managing your mood swings. Our entire body revolves around hormones. Any disruption in hormonal balance can affect our bodies adversely. Exercise generally makes you feel good and keeps you in high spirits. The release of happy hormones in the form of chemicals makes you feel happy. Regular exercise will help maintain happy hormone levels that will help enable you to give your best.
What Are the Benefits to Psychological Health by Staying Fit?
Here is a list of psychological health benefits of staying fit.
- Reduces stress
- Alleviates anxiety and depression
- Helps you stay motivated
- Increased productivity
- Improved concentration and focus
- Good communications skills
- Good sleep
- Refreshing morning
- Good eating habits
- Enabling you to stay happy and smiling always
Let us take a glance at how fitness helps with our overall well-being and brings about a transformation in the mental wellness sphere. After reading this, you will feel highly motivated to stay fit and hit the gym, visit a park for a good run, or do cardio to sweat out.
-
Reduce stress
Exercise is a great stress-buster; it helps in reducing cortisol levels (stress hormones) and keeping you motivated. Reducing stress can be a great idea to restore your brain power and overall vitality. So, practice exercises regularly.
-
Alleviates anxiety and depression
Anxiety in simple terms is restlessness, and depression means being sad. These mood changes can take a severe turn if not rectified at initial changes with lifestyle modifications.
-
Helps you stay motivated
Following a healthy lifestyle will help you stay motivated; it will keep you energetic with a “Just Do It” attitude. Staying fit and motivated will help you lead a positive life and will keep negative thoughts at bay.
-
Increased productivity
Fitness will stimulate your brain power and mental energy from within. This will make you more productive at work and study.
-
Improved concentration and focus
If you want to achieve good concentration and high focus levels, it is important to exercise and stay fit. Staying fit implies doing exercise along with a healthy diet.
-
Good communications skills
Great fitness levels will make you more confident to face the world with pride. Your soft skills improve along with clarity in thinking and speech.
-
Good sleep
Good sleep is very important for maintaining a healthy body. Staying fit by exercising daily can help you enjoy sound sleep at the end of the day.
-
Refreshing morning
If you feel lazy to get out of bed generally, it means you are not fit. Exercise along with a healthy diet will wake you up at regular hours and help maintain the sleep-wake cycle.
-
Good eating habits
Exercising and staying fit will ensure that you have no sugar and salt cravings for junk food. Eating healthy fruits and vegetables is a great way to boost your metabolism and the key to staying healthy.
-
Stay happy and smiling always
Exercising will help you keep happy and smiling in a positive mood. You will have no mood swings and no irritability.
Now that you know the benefits of fitness for mental health, get started with your exercise routine. It’s never too late to begin. Be regular with your fitness regimen to experience the best-desired results and lead a happy and healthy life.
- Written by Dr. Rati, Associate doctor to Dr. Rajesh Shah
