Stress can lead to both physical and mental health issues. Luckily, exercise can help combat both. If you’re already working out, great. It’s one of the best ways to manage stress. If you’re currently not as active as you’d like to be, that can change. And it’s easier than you think.
We took a NOBULL look at the research connecting mind and body to prove that movement is the least expensive and most accessible mental health treatment out there.
Life Time members get 10% off NOBULL.
The Mental Health Benefits of Physical Activity
If you want to get healthier mentally, it helps to get healthier physically. Consistent exercise can improve your mood, thinking, self-discipline, and even pain tolerance.
The type of exercise you choose doesn’t matter. The activity you do, the intensity, and the duration all impact the way your brain and body respond. But research shows that you can count on all of the following advantages when you’re active in any way you choose to be.
And the more consistent you are, the bigger the benefit (1, 2).
Better Mood
Exercise promotes the release of serotonin and dopamine, two neurotransmitters that give the brain a sense of happiness and reward. You know when you’re having a bad day and you go outside for a walk, and come back feeling better? That’s those brain chemicals at work. (The more intense the exercise, generally, the greater the feeling.)
Activity also helps regulate your nervous system. It reduces chronic stress levels, helps you control emotions, and promotes physical and mental calmness post-workout.
Combats Mental Health Conditions
Exercise can help alleviate symptoms of mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Exercise can help distract from intrusive thoughts, improve your sleep, and promote mindfulness — the ability to stay calm and present when stress arises.
Improves Discipline
If you feel you lack the determination to exercise regularly, we’ve got good news for you: Exercise builds that muscle too. The changes in your brain that are driven by activity also help with motivation and the ability to form habits and set goals. They also cut down on distracting thoughts, so you can literally leave your excuses at the (gym) door.
What’s the Best Exercise for Mental Wellness?
Research doesn’t point to a single method of exercise as being a clear winner for overall mental health. The “best” exercise is really the one you enjoy doing most consistently.
For well-rounded fitness, it’s important to include strength training, cardio, and mobility work into your routine. That’s why we love hybrid training, as it covers all the bases.
Life Time offers tons of group-fitness classes that incorporate multiple types of training in a fun and inviting class format.
If you’re searching for the right gear, shop the NOBULL Drive 2, Life Time’s official hybrid training shoe. The NOBULL mentality is simple: train hard, stay consistent, and put in the work. Whatever type of training you prefer, consistency is key to bettering your mental wellness. No shortcuts. No excuses. Just doing the work.
The NOBULL Bottom Line:
- Exercise improves mood and
- Being active boosts physical and mental
- Daily stresses and trauma have negative health Both can be treated with activity.
Excerpted from the NOBULL Blog: “Unscripted.” Read the full article.
Life Time members get 10% off NOBULL.