If you’re feeling anxious or a little depressed, it’s easy to understand. Many people in Louisiana are experiencing it. The world may feel a little more uncertain to you or moving too fast. Maybe a recent setback has caused it. Sometimes, you simply feel down and can’t pinpoint a reason. No matter what the cause, you have a mental health issue. If it’s severe or long-lasting, always seek professional help/ Starting an exercise program may be all that’s necessary for people with mild, more fleeting issues. Therapists are even using exercise as an adjunct therapy because it offers only benefits with no side effects, except a healthier body.
Stress hormones may cause mental issues that endorphins help.
If you’re under stress, your body produces hormones that alter heart rate, blood flow, and other autonomic responses. As the initial surge of hormones reduces, a second set of hormones is released to keep you in a high state of alert. You may feel anxious if cortisol or other hormone levels remain high. The anxiety can turn into melancholia, which leads to depression. Exercise burns off stress hormones and replaces them with ones that make you feel safe, content, and happy. They put on the brake and reverse the changes made to stress.
You’ll breathe deeper and improve blood circulation when you exercise.
When you exercise, your heart beats faster, and circulation increases. It sends nutrients and oxygen to the entire body, including the brain. That boosts brain power, helps you think more clearly, and improves your mental acuity. It causes the brain to build new cells and create new pathways, which change your attitude and regulate emotions. You’ll feel more empowered when you exercise. That can reduce anxiety and depression.
Exercise improves your gut microbiome.
Your body has more microbes than it has cells. These microbes are bacteria, viruses, archaea, and eukarya, such as fungi and protists. These belly bugs help our body function. They aid in digestion and produce enzymes that affect our mood. Some scientists theorize that lacking some or having too many of others can cause mental issues such as ADD, depression, and schizophrenia. Scientists have studied the effect of exercise on the gut microbiome and found it increased beneficial ones and the variety of microbes. Evidence indicates exercise improves the brain-gut connection that affects mental health.
- The quality and quantity of sleep are improved when you work out. Your brain increases lymphatic fluid and prevents mental decline. It cleans and repairs itself, too. You’ll see things in a better light with adequate sleep.
- People who start a workout program tend to have an improved self-image, even before there’s a physical change. Once they improve their fitness, they develop improved self-confidence and self-esteem.
- Exercise makes you feel stronger and more in command. You’ll also improve your posture, which makes you look confident. Those feelings and your new appearance can give you a new outlook on life.
- Exercise is an excellent coping mechanism. It’s one reason people pace when they’re nervous or upset. It’s a distraction from problems and takes your mental attention away from feeling depressed or anxious. It releases skeletal tension and helps you relax.
For more information, contact us today at Wellness On A Dime Coaching