Let’s talk about the benefits of exercise that don’t focus on a change in body shape or size. Instead, let’s focus on the benefits to our mental health!
Exercise and moving your body in different ways, has been proven to:
- help reduce anxiety and depression
- boost your mood
- improve self-esteem and confidence
- improve quality of sleep
- increase sexual interest
- relieve stress
- increase energy
- improve memory
- increase relaxation
Evidence-based research shows us that you don’t have to be an athlete or super into fitness to feel these benefits, but instead moving your body for 30 minutes to an hour a day is all it takes.
For those of us that struggle with depression and anxiety, moving our bodies can even further benefit us by promoting changes in the brain like neural growth, reducing inflammation and creating new activity patterns that promote feelings of calm and well-being. Moving our bodies help us to release those powerful endorphins, those chemicals that make us feel good and are also helpful in decreasing anxiety. Moving our bodies can release tension and stress, and if instead of zoning out we pay attention to the moment we are in, exercise can be a very mindful activity. For example, focussing on your feet hitting the ground as you run, noticing the sensations in your muscles as you lift weights, feeling the water over your skin as you swim or focussing on your breath in yoga. These mindfulness techniques will help ground you and interrupt the flow of worry and challenging thoughts that you may have been focusing on before.
So how will you incorporate movement into your day? Will you run? Walk your dog? Do a yoga or fitness class? Swim? Lift weights? Ride you bike? Or maybe dance around your house? Whatever you do, I hope it helps you to feel relaxed, happy and energized!
#body #movement #mentalhealthawareness #mindbodyconnection
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