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Prioritizing one’s mental well-being is important for overall health. However, there are many ways to improve mental health, and the mental health benefits of exercise can greatly aid overall well-being.
Learning how mental health can be affected by exercise can help develop coping skills and other ways to work through life’s stressors.
Mental health, as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO), is a state of well-being in which an individual:1
Mental health is not just the absence of mental disorders or disabilities. Mental health includes emotional, psychological, and social well-being.
This refers to how well a person can manage and express their feelings. It involves the ability to navigate a wide range of emotions. This includes maintaining control over your emotions rather than allowing them to control you.
Positive emotional health allows you to maintain satisfying relationships. It allows you to handle stress effectively and maintain a positive self-image.
Psychological well-being is about how people perceive their personal growth and self-acceptance. It involves having a purpose in life, autonomy, and the capacity to manage complex environments to suit personal needs and values.
It’s about one’s thoughts and beliefs and how these impact their interactions with the world around them.
Social well-being involves having strong, healthy relationships and good communication skills. It’s also about feeling connected and supported by the community around you.
People with healthy social well-being can build strong relationships and have good social interactions. They also feel comfortable in social situations.
Mental health is crucial at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood. It helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices.
Mental health conditions can affect one’s thinking, mood, and behaviors. The mental health benefits of exercise can help improve all of these areas.
Physical health refers to the state of the body and its systems. It encompasses various aspects of health, including fitness, nutrition, rest, and medical care.2
Physical health is a crucial part of overall health, as it affects mental and emotional health as well. Some components of physical health include the following:
Regular physical activity contributes to good physical health. It can include formal exercises, such as running, swimming, or strength training. It can also include everyday activities like walking, gardening, or cleaning.
The mental health benefits of exercise are coupled alongside the physical benefits as well.
This refers to a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats. A balanced diet plays a vital role in maintaining good physical health.
Proper nutrition provides the body with the essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients it needs to function optimally. It also promotes a healthy weight and can help prevent a range of health problems.
Adequate rest and sleep are crucial for physical health. During sleep, the body repairs itself and regenerates cells.
Lack of sleep or poor-quality sleep can lead to a weakened immune system. It also increases the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes.
Maintaining a healthy weight is part of good physical health. Being overweight can lead to various health problems, including heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers. A combination of healthy eating and regular physical activity can help maintain a healthy weight.
Physical health and mental health are intricately linked. Each impacts the other considerably. Let’s take a closer look at this connection.
It’s well established that chronic physical illnesses can lead to poor mental health. This includes physical illnesses like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.
These illnesses are often linked to depression and anxiety disorders. This relationship can be attributed to several factors, such as:
On the other hand, positive physical health practices, such as regular exercise, are linked to improvements in mental health.
Regular physical activity is known to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety and improve mood. It is also known to increase self-esteem and cognitive function.
The mental health benefits of exercise can be seen in almost every aspect of a person’s life.
Mental health conditions can also significantly impact physical health. Research has shown that people with severe mental health conditions like depression or schizophrenia have a higher risk of experiencing physical health problems.3
Depression has also been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. The mental health benefits of exercise, along with the physical benefits, can help reduce this risk.
One way that mental health can impact physical health is because people with mental health conditions may neglect lifestyle behaviors that promote physical health. Examples include exercise, proper nutrition, and getting enough sleep.
Individuals may also engage in risky behaviors that harm physical health, such as substance use disorder. Because of this interplay, there’s a growing consensus that mental and physical health conditions should not be treated in isolation.
Instead, integrated care models that treat the whole person should be employed. These models consider both mental and physical health needs of patients. They have been found to improve overall health outcomes.
The mental health benefits of exercise are wide-ranging and well-documented. Regular physical activity has profound impacts on our emotional and mental well-being.
Here are some of the key mental health benefits of exercise:4
One of the most significant mental health benefits of exercise is its ability to combat depression and anxiety. Exercise promotes various changes in the brain.
Examples include neural growth and reduced inflammation. It allows for new activity patterns that promote feelings of calm and well-being. It also boosts endorphins, which are natural mood lifters.
The mental health benefits of exercise include improvements in mood. Physical activity causes the release of endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine. These play an important role in regulating mood.
Even short bouts of exercise can lead to changes in mood and create feelings of happiness and relaxation.
Regular physical activity can help you fall asleep faster, get better sleep, and deepen your sleep. This is an important mental health benefit of exercise, as poor or inadequate sleep is associated with an array of mental health disorders.
A sense of accomplishment after a workout can boost your confidence and improve your self-image. Regular exercise can also lead to improvements in physical appearance, like weight loss or muscle gain.
This also contributes to enhanced self-esteem, which is another one of the notable mental health benefits of exercise.
One of the immediate mental health benefits of exercise is stress reduction. Exercise is a natural and effective anti-stress treatment. It produces a relaxation response that serves as a positive distraction.
Exercise can promote cognitive functioning. It enhances brain function, structures, and pathways. The mental health benefits of exercise extend to improved memory, attention, and processing speed.
It’s also linked with a lower risk of cognitive decline and neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease.
Regular exercise can improve your endurance, helping you feel more energized throughout the day. This increased energy can enhance your mental health. This makes it easier to complete daily tasks and deal with challenges.
Regular exercise can act as a protective factor against the development of mental health disorders. The mental health benefits of exercise contribute to increased mental resilience.
Exercise provides a healthy and constructive way to cope with mental health challenges. Rather than resorting to negative coping strategies like alcohol or substances, which exacerbate mental health issues, exercising allows people to cope in a way that benefits their overall well-being.
Whether you’re in a group exercise class, walking with a friend, or simply enjoying the camaraderie at the gym, exercise provides an opportunity for social interaction. It can alleviate feelings of loneliness and improve mood.
Exercise doesn’t have to be grueling or time-consuming in order to provide benefits. Many fun and easy exercises can lead to significant improvements in mental wellness. Here are some exercises that maximize the mental health benefits of exercise:
Walking is a simple, low-impact exercise that almost anyone can do. The mental health benefits of exercise, like walking, include reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety.
It also includes improved mood and better sleep. A brisk 30-minute walk a few times a week can be enough to see these benefits.
Yoga combines physical postures, breathing exercises, meditation, and a distinct philosophy. It is particularly beneficial for its stress-reducing and mindfulness-enhancing effects.
The mental health benefits of exercise like yoga can include improved mood and reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Dancing is a fun and enjoyable way to get moving. It can be done in a class or alone in your living room. The mental health benefits of dancing include increased happiness and stress reduction. Plus, learning new dance moves can provide a sense of achievement and boost self-esteem.
Whether on a stationary bike or cycling outdoors, this activity is great for your heart and muscles. The mental health benefits of exercise like cycling include decreased stress levels and enhanced cognitive function.
Additionally, outdoor cycling can help to connect with nature, which has been shown to improve mental health.
This is an ancient Chinese form of exercise. It combines slow, deliberate movements, meditation, and deep breathing. The mental health benefits of exercise like Tai Chi include reduced stress and anxiety.
It’s also gentle on your joints, making it an excellent choice for older adults.
Though not often thought of as exercise, gardening can be a great workout. The mental health benefits of gardening include stress reduction and a sense of accomplishment. Additionally, the connection with nature and the outdoors can be particularly beneficial for mental health.
Swimming is a low-impact exercise that works all of your muscle groups. Being in the water can also have soothing effects on the mind.
Getting out into nature and going for a hike can be a great way to exercise. The mental health benefits of exercise like hiking include reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety. Hiking also fosters a sense of connection with nature, which can be incredibly healing.
Participating in team sports, like soccer, basketball, or volleyball, can provide a sense of camaraderie and community. This is along with the physical benefits these sports offer.
The mental health benefits of exercise involving team sports include improved mood and opportunities for social interaction.
Are you looking for a treatment center that can help you recover from your mental health symptoms? At Iris Healing, we provide a supportive and understanding environment to address your mental health concerns.
While exercise can provide powerful benefits for your mental and physical health, we understand that finding an exercise routine that works for you is important for your treatment.
Our expert staff can help you find exercises that suit your personal physical and mental health needs. We offer:
If you’re ready to tap into the mental health benefits of exercise, contact us today. Our team is ready to help you find practical ways to stay healthy, both mentally and physically.
Iris Healing® strives to be diligent and prompt in updating the information available on our website. Please note, however, that our treatment modalities and protocols are subject to change at any time. For the most up-to-date details regarding our treatment offerings or other protocols, please contact us: (844)663-4747
At Iris Healing®, we offer a free and confidential verification of benefits with no commitment required. For our in-network insurance partners, Iris Healing® accepts PPO, EPO, and HMO plans. For out-of-network insurance, we accept most PPO policies. We are happy to answer any questions you have related to insurance coverage for mental health and addiction treatment.
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Iris Healing Center
Certification: 190056AP
Expiration Date: 12/31/2025
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License Number: 190943AP
Expiration Date: 1/31/2025
Licensed by the State Department of Health Care Services.
Iris Healing Center
Certification: 190056AP
Expiration Date: 12/31/2025
Iris Healing Retreat
License Number: 190943AP
Expiration Date: 1/31/2025
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