Exercise and the Effects on your mood
By Ryan Light, Running/Anxiety Coach
Lack of Physical activity can majorly blow one’s mood and general health. This is because exercise has been found to aid in preventing and improving various health conditions, including anxiety, panic, mood swings, and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Research on moods, anxiety, and exercise shows that exercise’s physical and psychological benefits include reduced anxiety and improved mood. And, while the connection between stress, mood swings, and physical activity is unclear, working out eases anxiety symptoms, making the person feel better. Studies have shown that exercise also helps keep anxiety from returning once an individual feels better.
Benefits of Exercise
By engaging in activities a person enjoys and also coming up with regular moderate exercise, one can experience various health benefits of exercise. Exercise improves the health and well-being of an individual in the following ways:
- Easing anxiety and reducing tension-exercise acts as a distraction and hence get you away from negative thoughts that feed fear. Exercising regularly will enable you to take charge of the pressure, thereby reducing stress, frustration, and anger, which are the main contributors to worries and other mental problems. You will, therefore, be able to find a quiet time to relax and enjoy the beauty of nature.
- Lifting mood-exercising releases endorphins, a powerful chemical that invigorates your spirits, making you feel the mood. Many times, exercise alone can treat moderate depression just like an antidepressant medication, yet without side effects. Besides relieving depression and enhancing your moods, regular exercise can help you avoid relapsing. Evading physical activity, drinking alcohol, or hoping that mood swings will go away naturally, on the other hand, will worsen the symptoms.
Difference between exercise and physical activity
While exercise and physical activity do not refer to the same thing, both benefit one’s health and well-being. Research has shown that even simple physical activity, for instance, regular walking helps improve mood.
The differences are as follows:
- Physical activity-any activity that not only contracts muscles but also expends energy and hence includes household or work, or leisure activities
exercise-planned, organized, and repetitive body movement that is done to enhance or even maintain physical fitness. - Therefore, it is essential to note that exercise does not necessarily involve running several laps in the gym. The training comprises various activities that improve your activity level, helping you feel better.
How to choose the best exercise
Choose an activity that you enjoy and fits easily into your lifestyle instead of one that discourages you from maintaining the program. Consider doing aerobics, an exercise that considerably raises your heart rate, such as cycling, running, and swimming, as well as resistance exercise, especially if you suffer from OCD. Interestingly, regardless of the specific activity you opt for or the intensity you exercise, every bit will improve your physical and mental health. On the contrary, avoiding it will wreak havoc on your self-confidence and may cause further anxiety.
Other health benefits of exercise
Sharpen brain power: The endorphins released while exercising will increase concentration, making you feel sharp for other activities. Exercise either boosts the growth of new brain cells, effectively preventing age-related decline.
Improve sleep: Exercise, however short it may be, can help regulate sleep patterns. If you choose to exercise at night, consider relaxing exercises such as gentle stretches or pilates, as they have been found to promote sleep. On the other hand, lack of exercise leads to poor sleeping patterns associated with stress and depression.
Boosts energy: By increasing your heart rate, more blood will flow into your system, implying that more power will be supplied to your various body organs. The opposite is true when you fail to exercise or do any physical activity. So, save yourself the trouble of taking energy tablets by starting with a few minutes of exercise regularly, and later on, increase your activity as your energy levels increase.
Conclusion
Exercising brings several health and mental benefits to your life. Apart from contributing to your well-being, physical activity and exercise improve immunity, reducing stress and depression. Not participating in any physical activity lower your moods leading to many other grave mental problems.
I’ve found the following supplements help me with my:
- Anxiety – NOW Foods 5-HTP 100mg, 120 VCaps
- Sleep – Nature Made Melatonin + with 200 Mg L-theanine, 60 Count (Packaging may vary)
- Multivitamin/Recovery – Enduropacks.com use RealRunRyan for a discount
- Recovery – Now Foods ZMA Sports Recovery Capsules, 180-Count
To learn how to start running, follow my plan here.
Are you looking for an anxiety coach? Please get in touch with me, as I’ve helped dozens of people beat their anxiety and get back to living life.
Somatic coach (therapist) in Canton, GA, and Worldwide Life Coach dedicated to inspiring and assisting people worldwide through candid conversations about anxiety. Having personally battled general anxiety, panic disorder, and OCD, I understand the daily challenges those grappling with anxiety face. My journey involved searching for the right therapist, medication, and natural supplements and undergoing various tests. It was only after deciding to reclaim my life that I finally overcame anxiety’s hold. I’m passionate about helping others conquer their struggles and discover their life purpose.