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The Real Reason I Exercise
The mental health benefits of exercise are not just for athletes
Every fitness junkie that I know shares the same secret — they exercise as much — or more — for their state of mind as for their body. Yet, for so many others, getting active sits on their list of “shoulds” rather than their list of “wants”.
What’s going on? It struck me that exercise has a marketing problem.
We are constantly reminded of why we “should” exercise — for weight loss, for heart health, for stronger bones, fewer injuries, and more. These benefits share a common feature — they accrue slowly over weeks, months, and years. To make matters worse, we are told that we must sweat it out multiple hours a week to reap them. No wonder this sounds like a chore!
Instead, why not focus on the“feel good” benefits of excercise?
These benefits are freely available, with no prior experience required, and can be reaped immediately, from a single modest exercise session.
This article shares the “feel good” benefits of exercise that keep me coming back for more, along with a few scientific tidbits and practical tips.
Four Mental Health Benefits of Exercise
There’s a lot more to exercise than pumping up your pecs, sculpting your waist, toning your glutes, and training your heart. When we get physical, we change our environment, our psychology, our metabolic state, and even our brain chemistry. Exercise induces a symphony of neurological changes through hormones, neurotransmitters, growth factors, and other neuromodulators. Together, these changes provide a powerful recipe for enhancing mental health.
1. Boost Your Mood
Think about the last time you were physically active. Even if the session itself wasn’t a bed of roses, chances are good that the afterglow was worth it, and then some.My clever husband knows this well, and is always quick to encourage me to get my fix!
