13 AWESOME MENTAL HEALTH BENEFITS OF EXERCISE

Many people hit the gym or pound the pavement to improve cardiovascular health, build muscle, and of course, get a rockin’ bod, but working out has above-the-neck benefits, too.

For the past decade or so, scientists have pondered how exercising can boost brain function.

For the past decade or so, scientists have pondered how exercising can boost brain function.

Regardless of age or fitness level (yup, this includes everyone from mall-walkers to marathoners), studies show that making time for exercise provides some serious mental benefits.

Regardless of age or fitness level (yup, this includes everyone from mall-walkers to marathoners), studies show that making time for exercise provides some serious mental benefits.

Regardless of age or fitness level (yup, this includes everyone from mall-walkers to marathoners), studies show that making time for exercise provides some serious mental benefits.

Get inspired to exercise by reading up on these unexpected ways that working out can benefit mental health, relationships, and lead to a healthier and happier life overall.

Exercise also increases concentrations of norepinephrine, a chemical that can moderate the brain’s response to stress.

Exercise also increases concentrations of norepinephrine, a chemical that can moderate the brain’s response to stress.

Exercise also increases concentrations of norepinephrine, a chemical that can moderate the brain’s response to stress.

Exercise also increases concentrations of norepinephrine, a chemical that can moderate the brain’s response to stress.

So go ahead and get sweaty — working out can reduce stress and boost the body’s ability to deal with existing mental tension.

So go ahead and get sweaty — working out can reduce stress and boost the body’s ability to deal with existing mental tension.

Exercise releases endorphins, which create feelings of happiness and euphoria.

Studies have shown that exercise can even alleviate symptoms among the clinically depressed [1].

For this reason, docs recommend that people suffering from depression or anxiety (or those who are just feeling blue) pencil in plenty of gym time.

For this reason, docs recommend that people suffering from depression or anxiety (or those who are just feeling blue) pencil in plenty of gym time.

For this reason, docs recommend that people suffering from depression or anxiety (or those who are just feeling blue) pencil in plenty of gym time.

For this reason, docs recommend that people suffering from depression or anxiety (or those who are just feeling blue) pencil in plenty of gym time.

For this reason, docs recommend that people suffering from depression or anxiety (or those who are just feeling blue) pencil in plenty of gym time.

Don’t worry if you’re not exactly the gym rat type — getting a happy buzz from working out for just 30 minutes a few times a week can instantly boost overall mood.

Improve self-confidence.

On a very basic level, physical fitness can boost self-esteem and improve positive self-image.

On a very basic level, physical fitness can boost self-esteem and improve positive self-image.

Regardless of weight, size, gender, or age, exercise can quickly elevate a person's perception of his or her attractiveness, that is, self-worth [2][3].

Regardless of weight, size, gender, or age, exercise can quickly elevate a person's perception of his or her attractiveness, that is, self-worth [2][3].

Enjoy the great outdoors.

Find an outdoor workout that fits your style, whether it’s rock-climbing, hiking, renting a canoe, or just taking a jog in the park.

Plus, all that Vitamin D acquired from soaking up the sun (while wearing sunscreen, of course!) can lessen the likelihood of experiencing depressive symptoms.

Plus, all that Vitamin D acquired from soaking up the sun (while wearing sunscreen, of course!) can lessen the likelihood of experiencing depressive symptoms.

Prevent cognitive decline.

Prevent cognitive decline.

Prevent cognitive decline.

It’s unpleasant, but it’s true — as we get older, our brains get a little... hazy.

As aging and degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s kill off brain cells, the noggin actually shrinks, losing many important brain functions in the process.

Quick Q&A: Which is better at relieving anxiety — a warm bubble bath or a 20-minute jog?

You might be surprised at the answer.

The warm and fuzzy chemicals that are released during and after exercise can help people with anxiety disorders calm down.

Hopping on the track or treadmill for some moderate-to-high intensity aerobic exercise (intervals, anyone?) can reduce anxiety sensitivity [6] [7].

Studies suggest that a tough workout increases levels of a brain-derived protein (known as BDNF) in the body, believed to help with decision making, higher thinking, and learning.

Studies suggest that a tough workout increases levels of a brain-derived protein (known as BDNF) in the body, believed to help with decision making, higher thinking, and learning.

Getting sweaty increases production of cells in hippocampus responsible for memory and learning [10].

For this reason, research has linked children’s brain development with level of physical fitness (take that, recess haters!).

For this reason, research has linked children’s brain development with level of physical fitness (take that, recess haters!).

A study showed that running sprints improved vocabulary retention among healthy adults [11].

Help control addiction.

Unfortunately, some people become addicted to dopamine and dependent on the substances that produce it, like drugs or alcohol (and more rarely, food and sex).

Unfortunately, some people become addicted to dopamine and dependent on the substances that produce it, like drugs or alcohol (and more rarely, food and sex).

Unfortunately, some people become addicted to dopamine and dependent on the substances that produce it, like drugs or alcohol (and more rarely, food and sex).

Short exercise sessions can also effectively distract drug or alcohol addicts, making them de-prioritize cravings (at least in the short term) [13] [14].

Short exercise sessions can also effectively distract drug or alcohol addicts, making them de-prioritize cravings (at least in the short term) [13] [14].

Short exercise sessions can also effectively distract drug or alcohol addicts, making them de-prioritize cravings (at least in the short term) [13] [14].

Alcohol abuse disrupts many body processes, including circadian rhythms.

Alcohol abuse disrupts many body processes, including circadian rhythms.

Increase relaxation.

Ever hit the hay after a long run or weight session at the gym?

For some, a moderate workout can be the equivalent of a sleeping pill, even for people with insomnia [15].

For some, a moderate workout can be the equivalent of a sleeping pill, even for people with insomnia [15].

Moving around five to six hours before bedtime raises the body’s core temperature.

Moving around five to six hours before bedtime raises the body’s core temperature.

Feeling uninspired in the cubicle?

Research shows that workers who take time for exercise on a regular basis are more productive and have more energy than their more sedentary peers [17] [18].

Research shows that workers who take time for exercise on a regular basis are more productive and have more energy than their more sedentary peers [17] [18].

While busy schedules can make it tough to squeeze in a gym session in the middle of the day, some experts believe that midday is the ideal time for a workout due to the body’s circadian rhythms.

While busy schedules can make it tough to squeeze in a gym session in the middle of the day, some experts believe that midday is the ideal time for a workout due to the body’s circadian rhythms.

Next time you need a burst of creative thinking, hit the trails for a long walk or run to refresh the body and the brain at the same time.

Inspire others.

Pin it to inspiration or good old-fashioned competition, nobody wants to let the other person down.

Working out can have positive effects far beyond the gym (and beach season).

Gaining self-confidence, getting out of a funk, and even thinking smarter are some of the motivations to take time for exercise on a regular basis.

lumenthal has explored the mood-exercise connection through a series of randomized controlled trials. In one such study, he and his colleagues assigned sedentary adults with major depressive disorder to one of four groups: supervised exercise, home-based exercise, antidepressant therapy or a placebo pill.

"Exercise seems not only important for treating depression, but also in preventing relapse," he says.