Mindful movement: The benefits of exercise on your mental health

I’m sure you know of the countless benefits exercise can have on your physical health, but when it comes to mental health, we don’t seem to talk about it enough. Exercise, no matter the form, has many direct and indirect impacts on the betterment of our mental health. Specifically, movement can trigger the release of endorphins, which are hormones found to be pain relievers. Let’s have a look at the ways endorphins, and exercise in general, can have positive impacts on our mental health.

Boosts mood

When experiencing depression, the incorporation of exercise can be transformative. As we just discussed, endorphins release and have a pain-relieving effect on the body and mind. Apart from this, the release of endorphins also plays a role in enhancing the release of dopamine, another hormone known to aid mood regulation. Where endorphins are largely concerned with pain reduction, dopamine is what connects the experience to pleasure. So, when dopamine is released, we seek activities and practices that will provide us with the rush of the dopamine release.

So, the next time you finish a workout, run, or walk, the feeling of accomplishment is what motivates you to do more!

Reduces stress

Exercise is a phenomenal avenue through which you can reduce your stress. Not only by the hormone releases occurring, but also by being a healthy distraction away from your stressors. In the hustle and bustle of our busy lives, we tend to get quite caught up in our duties and responsibilities to other people. As an employer, employee, parent, and child, we lend a lot of ourselves to those around us. In the chaos of all this, our stress levels rise and we forget the world outside of our stress.

This is where exercise comes in. Any form of exercise requires mind-to-body connection. Whether you are out on a walk or doing some indoor yoga, exercise draws your attention back down to yourself and your body. This healthy distraction brings you back to present time and prevents a spiral of stress.

Encourages social interaction

For many, the balance between work and life is often skewed. The stress from both areas can bring an incredibly negative affect to an individual’s mental health. This is why a ‘third place’ can be valuable. A ‘third place’ refers to some practice or physical space that fosters interaction without barriers that come with the duties of work and home.

For many, their third place is a group fitness or exercise class. Group classes foster social interaction with those taking part in the same activity. Social interaction here provides a sense of belonging along with the many other physical and mental benefits of exercise.

Having discussed these benefits, I encourage you to find a form of exercise that you look forward to. Find what you enjoy enough to incorporate regularly and consistently into your life.

Warmest,

Ruchi.