1. Puts you in a good mood
Whether you need a kickstart to your morning after waking up early or an activity to manage stress after a challenging workday, exercise can clear your mind and improve your mood, according to one review. Aerobic exercise and resistance training both stimulate the production of enkephalins, dynorphins, and endorphins, also known as happy hormones.
The review found that these chemicals are involved in different cognitive and behavioral processes and can improve executive function, enhance your mood, and bring down your stress levels. And even better news is that a small amount of exercise can bring you these effects. A single 30-minute routine can have you riding the wave of happy hormones.
2. Improves your mental health
Consistent exercise contributes to neuroplasticity by making your brain more sensitive to serotonin. Over time, it gives you more resilience to stress, which can help regulate mental health issues like anxiety and depression. Exercising regularly is a proactive approach to mental fitness, as neuroplasticity creates more resistance to the stressors that can stimulate bouts of anxiety and sadness.
From a psychological point of view, physical activity is a potential mental illness treatment to explore alongside therapy with a mental health professional for chronic issues. Exercise is such an effective form of treatment that some patients even experience withdrawal symptoms after dropping their exercise routines.