Some of the results of exercise aren’t always pretty – sweat dripping down your face, an increased heart rate, flushed skin, fatigue. But none of that matters because your mood has improved!
Thanks to endorphins released during physical activity, many people experience a positive boost in mood and reduced feelings of depression and anxiety after exercising.
Mental Health Benefits of Exercise
“Exercise can be a powerful tool for people dealing with stress,” said Kenny Dunn, a personal wellness coach at Memorial Counseling Associates. “Typically, people who are under stress or are suffering from depression will use food as a coping mechanism. This leads to weight gain and an increased risk of health issues, further increasing depression and stress. By using exercise as a coping skill, people can reduce feelings of stress and depression.”
Because exercise can improve a person’s appearance, their confidence and self-esteem often increase as well. Cognitive functioning, or thought process, also can get better. This is beneficial for people who are feeling down or struggling with depression. When someone is suffering mentally, they are less likely to engage in physical and social activities. Instead they might turn to unhealthy coping skills such as binge eating, substance abuse and isolation to alleviate their symptoms.
“These coping skills tend to decrease a sense of self worth and put the individual at a higher risk of health issues,” Dunn said. “However, by increasing physical activity the person can work to reverse this effect, creating a better self image, sense of worth and more social interaction.”