Many
people hit the gym or pound the pavement to improve cardiovascular
health, build muscle, and of course, get a rockin’ bod, but working out
has above-the-neck benefits, too. For the past decade or so, scientists
have
pondered how exercising can
boost brain function. Regardless of age or fitness level (yup, this includes everyone from mall-walkers to marathoners),
studies show that making time for exercise provides some serious mental benefits. Get inspired to exercise by reading up on these unexpected ways that working out can benefit
mental health, relationships, and lead to a healthier and happier life overall.
1. Reduce stress
Rough day at the office? Take a walk or head to the gym for a
quick workout. One of the most common mental benefits of exercise is stress relief. Working up a sweat can help manage physical and
mental stress. Exercise also increases concentrations of norepinephrine, a chemical that can moderate the brain’s
response to stress. So go ahead and get sweaty — working out can reduce stress
and boost the body’s ability to deal with existing mental tension. Win-win!
2. Boost happy chemicals
Slogging
through a few miles on the ‘mill can be tough, but it’s worth the
effort! Exercise releases endorphins, which create feelings of
happiness and euphoria.
Studies
have shown that exercise can even alleviate symptoms among the
clinically depressed. For this reason, docs recommend that people
suffering from
depression or anxiety
(or those who are just feeling blue) pencil in plenty of gym time. In
some cases, exercise can be just as effective as antidepressant pills in
treating depression.
Don’t worry if you’re not exactly the gym rat type — getting a happy
buzz from working out for just 30 minutes a few times a week can
instantly
boost overall mood.
3. Improve self-confidence
Hop on the treadmill to look (and more importantly,
feel) like a million bucks. On a very basic level, physical fitness can boost
self-esteem and improve positive self-image. Regardless of weight, size, gender, or age, exercise can
quickly elevate a person’s
perception of his or her attractiveness, that is,
self-worth. How’s that for feeling the (self) love?
4. Enjoy the great outdoors
For an extra boost of self-love, take that workout outside. Exercising in the great outdoors can
increase
self-esteem even more. Find an outdoor workout that fits your style,
whether it’s rock-climbing, hiking, renting a canoe, or just taking a
jog in the park. Plus, all that
Vitamin D
acquired from soaking up the sun (while wearing sunscreen, of course!)
can lessen the likelihood of experiencing depressive symptoms. Why book a
spa day when a little fresh air and sunshine (and exercise) can work
wonders for self-confidence and happiness?
5. Prevent cognitive decline
It’s
unpleasant, but it’s true — as we get older, our brains get a little…
hazy. As aging and degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s kill off brain
cells, the noggin actually shrinks, losing many important brain
functions in the process. While exercise and a healthy diet can’t “cure”
Alzheimer’s, they can help
shore up the brain against cognitive decline that begins after age 45.
Working out, especially between age 25 and 45, boosts the chemicals in the brain that support and prevent degeneration of the
hippocampus, an important part of the brain for memory and learning.
6. Alleviate anxiety
Quick
Q&A: Which is better at relieving anxiety — a warm bubble bath or a
20-minute jog? You might be surprised at the answer. The warm and fuzzy
chemicals that are released during and after exercise can help people
with
anxiety disorders calm down. Hopping on the track or treadmill for some moderate-to-high intensity aerobic exercise (
intervals, anyone?) can
reduce anxiety
sensitivity. And we thought intervals were just a good way to burn calories!
7. Boost brainpower
Those buff lab rats might be smarter than we think. Various studies on
mice and
men have shown that cardiovascular exercise can create new brain cells (aka
neurogenesis) and improve overall brain performance. Ready to apply for a Nobel Prize? Studies suggest that a tough workout
increases levels of a brain-derived protein (known as
BDNF) in the body, believed to help with decision making, higher thinking, and learning. Smarty (spandex) pants, indeed.
8. Sharpen memory
Get ready to win big at Go Fish. Regular physical activity boosts memory and ability to learn new things. Getting sweaty
increases production of cells in hippocampus responsible for memory and learning. For this reason, research has linked children’s
brain development
with level of physical fitness (take that, recess haters!). But
exercise-based brainpower isn’t just for kids. Even if it’s not as fun
as a game of Red Rover, working out can boost memory among grown-ups,
too. A
study showed that running sprints improved vocabulary retention among healthy adults.
9. Help control addiction
The brain releases
dopamine,
the “reward chemical” in response to any form of pleasure, be that
exercise, sex, drugs, alcohol, or food. Unfortunately, some people
become addicted to dopamine and dependent on the substances that produce
it, like drugs or alcohol (and more rarely, food and sex). On the
bright side, exercise
can help in addiction recovery. Short exercise sessions can also
effectively distract drug or alcohol addicts, making them
de-prioritize
cravings (at least in the short term). Working out when on the wagon
has other benefits, too. Alcohol abuse disrupts many body processes,
including
circadian rhythms. As a result, alcoholics find they can’t fall asleep (or stay asleep) without drinking. Exercise can help reboot the
body clock, helping people hit the hay at the right time.
10. Increase relaxation
Ever hit the hay after a long run or weight session at the gym? For some, a moderate workout can be the
equivalent of a
sleeping pill, even for people with insomnia. Moving around five to six hours before bedtime raises the body’s
core temperature. When the body temp drops back to normal a few hours later, it
signals the body that it’s time to sleep.
11. Get more done
Feeling uninspired in the cubicle? The solution might be just a short
walk or jog away.
Research shows that workers who take time for exercise on a regular basis are more productive and have
more energy
than their more sedentary peers. While busy schedules can make it tough
to squeeze in a gym session in the middle of the day, some experts
believe that
midday is the ideal time for a workout due to the body’s
circadian rhythms.
12. Tap into creativity
Most
people end a tough workout with a hot shower, but maybe we should be
breaking out the colored pencils instead. A heart-pumping gym session
can
boost creativity for up to
two hours afterwards.
Supercharge post-workout inspiration by exercising
outdoors and interacting with nature (see benefit #4). Next time you need a burst of creative thinking,
hit the trails for a long walk or run to refresh the body and the brain at the same time.
13. Inspire others
Whether
it’s a pick-up game of soccer, a group class at the gym, or just a run
with a friend, exercise rarely happens in a bubble. And that’s good news
for all of us.
Studies show that most people
perform better
on aerobic tests when paired up with a workout buddy. Pin it to
inspiration or good old-fashioned competition, nobody wants to let the
other person down. In fact, being part of a team is so powerful that it
can actually
raise athletes’ tolerances for pain. Even fitness
beginners can inspire each other to push harder during a sweat session, so find a workout buddy and get moving!
Working
out can have positive effects far beyond the gym (and beach season).
Gaining self-confidence, getting out of a funk, and even thinking
smarter are some of the motivations to take time for exercise on a
regular basis.