Written By: Amjad Ali Rind
Benefits of Physical Activity on Health
With the growing population, people are facing a lot of problems concerning their physical and mental health. These ailments can only be eradicated by doing exercise. Studies on exercise and mental health suggest that physical activity can reduce the risk of developing many diseases including cancer, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases, and improve overall health.
The benefits of physical activity on mental health have an enormous impact on the health of people. It has not only immediate benefits to human health but also long-term benefits to health. Doing regular physical activity and exercise makes a person active, reduces the chances of getting several diseases like heart attack, balances weight, lowers the cholesterol level and blood pressure, and improves mood and capabilities of the mind. Exercising for 30 minutes has countless benefits for physical and mental health.
Keep Your Body in Shape
Those who exercise regularly have good health and fitness. People attend the gym and join aerobic sessions to shape their bodies for keeping themselves fit. it puts a positive effect on the psychological benefits of physical activity. Having a charming physique can leave a good impression on others regarding your personality.
Exercise and Wellness
People not only exercise to remain physically fit but it also gives them a tremendous sense of wellness. Health and wellness go hand in hand. People feel more powerful and energetic the whole day, have sharper memories, improve the quality of sleep at night, and feel relaxed and positive in their lives. Furthermore, exercising is a powerful medicine for many mental health-related issues.
The Psychological Benefits of Exercise
Besides the physical benefits of exercise, it also has psychological benefits. The psychological benefits of exercise can enhance mental health, and control depression and anxiety. The benefits of exercise on mental health are countless. Of the many, we will discuss only a few important benefits of physical activity on mental health.
Exercise is a powerful fighter against Depression and Anxiety
Research studies have scientifically proven that exercise decreases depression and anxiety. These studies suggest that mild to moderate depression can be treated through exercise. Exercise works as an effective antidepressant medication without having any side effects. Also, maintaining routine exercise daily helps in preventing relapsing. Furthermore, Exercise promotes different functions of the brain such as neural growth, reduced inflammation, and new patterns of activity which enhances the feeling of calmness and well-being. On the other hand, exercise is a natural cure for anxiety and has characteristics of anti-anxiety.
Physical activity helps to release tension and stress, boosts both physical and mental energy, and releases endorphins which enhance overall well-being. Anxiety can also be controlled by paying very close attention to the senses of the body such as the sensation of feet hitting the ground, listening to heartbeat or rhythm of breathing, and the feeling of wind on skin. Focusing on the body while exercising not only improves the physical conditions faster but also interrupts the constant worries that are running through the head.
Benefits of Exercise on Mental Health:
Besides this, there are many mental benefits of exercise. It is said that “A sound mind resides in a sound body”.
Several studies revealed that exercise helps the mind to stay cool and calm. Moreover, these studies found that the mental benefits of physical activity help to fight against depression and anxiety. Exercise improves mood and helps people to block negative thoughts or distract from day-to-day worries and decreases stress. Exercising with others increases social contact. Regular exercise changes the chemical levels of the brain like stress hormones, serotonin, and endorphins.
Exercise Improves Mood
There are numerous positive effects of exercise on mental health. Regular exercise boosts mood and has a profound impact on mental health. It relieves stress, helps to better sleep, improves functions of memory, and boosts the overall mood of a person. Research indicates that modest exercise regularly can make a huge difference in people’s lives and get psychological benefits from physical activity
Mental Barriers to Exercise
It is very difficult for many to overcome the mental health barriers which do not allow them to take action to improve their health. Exercise obstacles are real when a person is struggling with mental health. The obstacles include feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, hopeless, thinking bad about self, and feeling pain. Generally, it has been observed that when a person is tired he thinks that doing exercise will exhaust him.
Exercise is proven by research:
exercise works as a powerful energizer:
However, research studies show that physical exercises are powerful energizers. It is recommended by many research studies show that regular exercise can reduce fatigue and increase energy levels dramatically. Also, exercise is only necessary when a person does not have other obligations. For example, if you are stuck with house chores or office work but want to work out may become a hurdle for you.
So, we had better realize that physical activity helps us to better everything in our lives. Moreover, often people start exercising from zero ground and soon lose motivation and become hopeless. To overcome this obstacle one should start to form small movements and gradually increase the pace. Being overweight sucks but thinking bad about yourself won’t work. So, it is better to start small and improve your fitness level over time. Exercise may be painful for someone but it takes sweat, blood, and water to get in shape.
