Taking care of your mental health is one of the most important forms of self-care you can do. Your mental health is directly linked to your physical health, and taking care of it will ensure that you feel your best. One of the best ways to take care of your mental health is by exercising.

Lift Your Mood

It’s a well-known fact that exercising can help you feel better physically, but can it really help you feel better mentally as well? Many people may associate exercise with exhaustion, physical discomfort, and difficulty. However, exercise has actually been proven to lift your mood in physiological ways. When you exercise, your body releases endorphins and also increases blood flow to the brain. Both of these factors have been proven to lift your mood and help you feel better from day to day. It’s also important to note that you don’t have to run long distances or do high-intensity workouts to feel better. Any sort of movement can help lift your mood. Some simple stretching or a walk around your neighborhood can help you begin to feel better.

Decrease Stress

Another benefit of exercise in regard to your mental health is its ability to reduce stress. The increased blood flow to your brain not only helps you think more clearly, but it makes you better able to handle stress. Besides endorphins, your body also produces a chemical called norepinephrine which can help your brain more effectively deal with stress. Since daily stress is becoming more and more common, regular exercise can help you reduce the negative effects of stress, and take better care of your mental health. Regular exercise can help manage stress and improve digestive health. Because your digestive health is so linked to your mental health, this is also a big help.

Become Present

There is a common saying that goes something like this: if you’re feeling depressed, you’re living in the past. If you’re feeling anxious, you’re living in the future. If you’re feeling content, you’re being present. Being present is one of the best ways to get yourself out of a difficult place with your mental health. This is why meditation is such a powerful practice for those struggling with mental health issues. However, many find the act of sitting still and thinking of nothing daunting. Exercising gives you the chance to be present in a more approachable way. When you’re exercising, you can become much more aware of the present moment. You’re pushing your body enough that you need to focus on what’s happening now. This can help you stay present.

Mental health issues are becoming more and more common. As they do, the search for healthy ways to improve your mental health has become more focused than ever. Exercising is one of the best ways to take care of your mental health and keep you feeling your best mentally and physically.

Check out this article on how to improve your relationship with food!