Why working out is more important for mental health than you think

Written by: AJ Lloren

Have you ever finished an intense workout and felt a sense of empowerment? Working out has some surprising and beneficial impacts that extend well beyond physical fitness. Everyone knows that working out helps us burn fat and stay in shape, but did you know it’s also linked to improved mental health?

Working out releases endorphins

Endorphins are natural chemicals in your brain that make you feel good, sort of like a high. They’re released during exercise, and it’s been shown that the more endorphins released, the better your mood. With the help of supplements, physical activity also helps relieve pain, which can be especially useful if you’re doing a high-intensity interval workout, where you push yourself to your limits.

Exercise can help you sleep better

Exercise is good for your health, but it also helps you get a better night’s sleep. A study found that people who exercised for 30 minutes on average were less likely to experience insomnia symptoms than those who did not exercise.

The findings suggest that exercise can help improve overall sleep quality and prevent insomnia by reducing stress and anxiety. In addition, regular exercise may lead to a better quality of life and overall well-being.

Working out can help your self-esteem

Self-esteem and being confident come from within. When you exercise, you feel good about yourself and the way you look, even if the scale doesn’t reflect it. You see yourself in a better light, which helps boosts your confidence.

Working out gives us a sense of accomplishment when we reach goals we set for ourselves, like completing an entire workout without giving up or finishing a tough workout in record time. These little victories lead to a greater sense of confidence.

Working out can help you feel less anxious in social situations

Research was done to check if doing physical activity can treat social anxiety. It had promising results. In addition to releasing endorphins, physical activity also increases blood circulation throughout the body, including the brain. This helps people who experience anxiety disorders or depression because it provides them with clarity and calmness.

This calmness can be especially helpful when dealing with social anxiety issues. When we’re anxious or stressed out, our bodies react by increasing our heart rate, breathing rate and blood pressure — all signs that tell us to prepare for danger or fight-or-flight response. But when we exercise regularly, our bodies learn that these symptoms aren’t necessary anymore, so they start sending signals to our brains telling us everything is okay again.

Exercise helps you feel productive, which can be mentally healthy

Exercise makes you feel good about yourself and gives you a sense of accomplishment. You’re also more likely to look forward to your workout if you’ve been feeling sluggish or tired lately. Exercise is also known to improve mood and relieve stress and anxiety, so it may help you sleep better at night.

You’ll feel more energised, less stressed, and more motivated to tackle the day if you work out. If you don’t work out and are looking to start, there’s no better time than now. Your physical health and mental health should be prioritised, and exercising is one of doing that.