The benefits of exercise are not limited to physical changes of the body, but has greater scope for overall wellbeing including improving ones mental state. Many studies over the past 10 years have looked into the effect exercise has on a persons mental wellbeing, with an overwhelming number concluding that regular exercise results in better health related quality of life and functional capacity in men, women and children of all ages.
While exercising, your body releases chemicals which have an effect on your mood and feeling of wellbeing. These chemicals (endorphins & serotonin mainly) react with receptors in the brain to give you a feeling of euphoria, suppress the feeling of pain and increase your immune response system, all leading to a healthier, happier you.
The links between regular exercise and improving such disorders as anxiety and depression are very well documented and give us a way in which these can be moderated and even improved. In some cases, it has been found that exercise can lead to greater psychological outcomes than anti-depressants in patients, whereas physical inactivity has been heavily linked with the onset of depression, mainly in older women.
The science behind this is very clear. Exercising helps regulate the release of stress chemicals in the body, aiding in the moderation and improvement of your depression and/or anxiety.
Not only does exercising improve your mental state directly via the secretion of chemicals, it can indirectly improve your mood because of the social aspect it creates. Working out provides a great opportunity to enhance your social life, which is also a contributing factor in your mental health.
If you’re looking for somewhere to exercise and help clear your mind, contact us now to get the ball rolling and start building the pathway to a healthier, happier you.