How Regular Exercise Affects Mental Health
By Genevieve Cunningham
When it comes to health and wellness, most of us focus on one kind of health at a time. We may focus on diet or exercise. We may focus on mental well-being. But we don't generally mix our physical and mental health together. They're separate, right? While there are plenty of occasions when mental and physical health should be kept separate, there may be a stronger link between the two than what most people realize. If you're interested in maintaining your health as a whole, take a look at how exercise affects mental health, and how some time in the gym can boost overall wellness.
Exercise Creates Feel Good Chemicals
In a biological sense, exercise causes the body to produce feel good chemicals. Endorphins and adrenaline both course through the body during and after an exercise session. These two chemicals can create energy, improve clarity, and make you feel better overall. Also known as happy chemicals, this duo is a great start to feeling better about your body and life.
Exercise Improves Self Image
In a more literal sense, exercise tones the body, helps us lose weight, and improves our general appearance. But this is all physical, right? Any time you're able to improve your appearance, it’s highly likely that you’ll also see an improvement in your self-esteem. Feeling good about the skin you’re in allows your self image to flourish. It helps boost your self perception, which can really improve mental health. The better you feel about yourself physically, the better you’re likely to feel mentally as well.
All Health is Connected
The truth is that every aspect of our health is connected. When one area suffers, they all suffer. And when one area sees an improvement, they’re all likely to see an improvement. If you view each aspect of health as a small part of a bigger whole, it becomes easier to take care of yourself as a unit rather than as separate pieces being forced together.
Physical and mental health are absolutely connected. They feed off of each other and work together to create a healthier you. And by engaging in regular exercise, you may be able to improve both at the same time. Start an exercise program, stick with it, and watch the physical and mental benefits unfold.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Whittier, Calif.