Walking Off The Weight

You have heard about the physical benefits of exercise: weight loss, improved stamina, increased lifespan, and much more. But did you know that it also has benefits to your mental health? Not only does exercise make your body work better, it makes you feel better too. Let’s take a look at how exercise can make you feel better and enjoy life more.

A Boost In Energy
A sedentary lifestyle can make you feel fatigued. When you work out regularly, you feel more energized and are ready to face the day. Exercise gets your blood pumping, which then delivers oxygen to your entire body. Exercising also helps you get a better night sleep and fall asleep faster. You will feel better rested when you wake up in the morning. Working out regularly also gets you in shape for everyday life, making it more effortless to get through the ups and downs of everyday life.

Stress Reducer
Many people know that endorphins from exercise make you feel better and help you have a better outlook on life, but exercise can also provide a time for reflection; which can go a long way in reducing stress. Many of us don’t have time alone without thoughts to contemplate our problems. Some types of exercise, such as running, can provide time to think about the day and sort out problems, very similar to the way meditation helps with stress.

Better Self-Esteem
After a workout, you feel that you have accomplished something. This can give you quite the boost in self-esteem, and helps instill a pride in yourself. In return, feeling like you can accomplish things makes you more likely to work out again, which of course gives you are greater feeling of accomplishment. This creates a circle of positive reinforcement that will have you working out regularly.

Become More Social
Being social and having friends is an important part of our lives. Exercise can help us stay in touch with old friends by scheduling regular walks or runs. It can be also used to meet new friends at the gym or through sports. These kinds of activities can make you feel accepted and loved; making you feel much better.

If you’re wondering if the effects of exercise will change the way you feel, consider this: many doctors and therapists recommend exercise as part of their treatment for anxiety or depression. If exercise is powerful enough to combat depression, think what it can do to improve your life.

Filed under: Articles on April 7th, 2009