Exercise, the Natural Mood Booster!
Don't just think of your workout as something to keep your body fit — it helps keep your mind in good shape, too! While it's not news that exercise is good for the muscles, studies have shown it's also good for your brain. One study divided a group of depressed patients into two sets: those who walked on a regular basis, and those who took medication. To their surprise, the researchers found that those who walked recovered from their blues just as well as the antidepressant group! And another recent study found that once its participants began to exercise on a regular basis, their feelings of hopelessness, pessimism, emptiness, persistent sadness, guilt, and helplessness all but disappeared!
Even if you're not clinically depressed, regular exercise will strengthen your mental reserves against the stresses and strains of everyday life. Just 10 minutes of moderate activity each day leads to a multitude of mental health benefits, including improved self-confidence, distraction from negative thought patterns, improved coping skills, better self-esteem, and an overall feeling of increased well-being! It makes sense when you consider that our bodies were made to move — not sit at a desk or in front of the television for hours on end. Exercise sets in motion chemical reactions in your body and brain that work to your benefit.
Our physical and mental healths are definitely intertwined — you can't neglect one without impacting the other! So the next time you're feeling overwhelmed, pent up, or restless, why not take a short walk? Deliver a message to a coworker in person instead of by email, or take the stairs instead of the elevator. Do some yoga or stretches instead of taking that nap. You'll be surprised how much calmer and in control you'll feel, and you just may find your whole outlook takes on a positive and healthy new spin!
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