5 WAYS EXERCISING BENEFITS YOUR MENTAL HEALTH
With May comes spring rains, fresh flowers and the promise of summer. However, it is also Mental Health Awareness month, making it an important time to focus on our mental well-being. Self-care is a hot button topic coming off the heels of the pandemic, many are searching for ways to shake off what feels to be the weight of the world on their shoulders. This process can be overwhelming. Where do we even begin? The answer can be very simple: exercise.
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One benefit of exercise that is often overlooked is the positive impact that it has on our brains and mood. Of course, we are all probably familiar by now with some of the more common results of regular exercise, such as less body fat, lower blood pressure, reduced risk of diabetes, etc. Though there is one component that can sometimes get glossed over and that’s the enhancement on our mental health.
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CURBING ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION
It has been scientifically proven that exercise can boost your mood by helping curve the negative symptoms brought on by depression and anxiety. When we work out, endorphins are created in the brain and spinal cord, which are partially responsible for creating feelings of happiness and euphoria. When we experience these types of sensations, it is only natural that they combat depression and our overall melancholy feelings. Even with moderate exercise, you can begin to shake away the blues. Sometimes, doctors even ‘prescribe’ a regular workout routine before turning to medications.
If you’re looking for a great way to get started, and you like being led in a group setting, try taking a group fitness class. At Woodside, a Westwood wellness center, they have a varied and robust course schedule to choose from. From novice to advanced, one of these classes is sure to get you up and going in no time at all. Yoga, spin and pilates are just naming a few of the great choices available at no additional cost with every membership.
