Physical fitness plays a huge role in our overall well-being. Being physically active is great for your heart health, can help you maintain a healthy body weight, make you stronger and more flexible, and build muscle. What doesn’t always get the same attention is just how important physical fitness is for your mental health and success.
There are several mental benefits of physical activity that can, in turn, help you to be more productive, less stressed, and happier overall. Another effect is that you’ll feel more energised for things you really want to be doing, whether that is hitting the town with friends or staying up to date on the latest arrivals in slot gaming.
Below, we’ll cover some of the key ways that physical fitness helps set you up for mental success. We’ll also go over some examples of exercises you can introduce into your daily routine.
Exercise Can Instantly Improve Your Mood
It would be great if every day was a good day, and you felt happy and ready to tackle whatever comes your way, but that’s not reality. Some days you can feel down, gloomy, and stressed out. Identifying the source is always important, but sometimes that is not possible because the source could be out of your control. If you want to feel better fast, exercise can deliver results.
When you work out, your body releases endorphins, often described as the ‘feel-good’ hormones. They can instantly make you feel happier, less stressed, less anxious, and more at ease. Unlike other stress-busting techniques, exercise provides quick results.
Exercise Helps Fight Depression
Research shows that regular exercise can also help treat depression. Even those taking antidepressant can see faster and better results if they introduce exercise into their routine. While exercise alone may not be enough to fully treat depression, more and more research shows it’s an excellent supplement. And unlike with antidepressants, there are no side effects to worry about with exercise.
In terms of which type of exercise fights depression best, there is not a single, specific answer, as different things work better for different people. Instead, aim for 30 minutes of moderate exercise at least five days a week.
Exercise Can Help You Sleep Better
Did you know that as many as one in three people in the UK are believed to suffer from insomnia? Even if it’s just occasional, it can still make it very hard for you to function both mentally and physically. Whether you can’t fall asleep or you wake up several times throughout the night, finding a solution should be a priority. Once again, exercise can be the solution.
A good workout that pushes you physically and gets your heart pumping is sure to help. Try working out in the late afternoon or evening to get the best results.
Exercise Distracts Your Mind in a Healthy Way
Are you the type that tends to dwell on problems and issues? Do you obsess about relatively small issues until they become huge? If so, exercise (surprise!) can help. When you’re in the middle of a moderate workout, the last thing you’ll be thinking about is stress and worries. Your mind will be so focused on the activity that you’re engaged in that it will force your brain to tune everything else out. Even if it’s just temporary relief, it’s still a relief.
A good experiment to try is to work out the next time your brain goes into overdrive. You’ll see that it immediately shuts things down and those worries recede into the background.
Exercise Can Help You Be More Focused and Productive
Feeling tired at work and not motivated to get your tasks done is a common issue people face. It’s normal to chalk it up to not getting enough sleep the night before, or just being overwhelmed with your workload. But did you know that even a quick workout can help you feel more focused and productive? Exercise fills you with energy, which then allows you to focus better.
You may want to use this tip to plan when you work out. It may be wise to wake up early enough to fit in a 30-minute workout before you start your day. Just make sure you also follow up with a healthy and nutritious breakfast that fuels your body.
Simple Activities and Exercises You Can Do at Home
Just because it’s important to exercise doesn’t mean you need to join a health club or gym. Memberships can be expensive, and it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. You may feel self-conscious working out in front of others, the hours of operation may not work with your schedule, or you just don’t need all those fancy workout machines.
If that’s the case, there are plenty of activities and exercises you can do at home that will keep your physical fitness at peak form.
Some of the best activities and exercises that don’t require a gym membership include:
- Chores: Stay active while tackling housework like vacuuming or mopping.
- Gardening: A surprisingly effective way to burn calories and improve flexibility.
- Bike riding: A great low-impact workout.
- Walking: Simple, yet effective for your overall health.
- Jogging: Boosts your cardiovascular endurance.
- Dancing: A fun and fantastic way to work up a sweat.
- Lunges: Increase strength and stability in your legs.
- Squats: Great for your glutes and lower body strength.
- Planks: Strengthen your core and improve posture.
- Calf raises: Great for building lower leg muscles.
Boosting Your Physical Fitness Level Will Benefit You in Many Ways
Focusing on your physical health is something that will benefit your body and mind. It can be challenging to create a routine and stick with it at first, but keep your goal in mind and push through. Before you know it, exercise will be part of your daily routine, and it won’t even seem like work. You’ll be too busy enjoying the mental health benefits it provides.
