Exercise increases serotonin and dopamine levels. These exercises can help you boost your mental health.
Boosting your mental health may be as simple as moving your body. Exercise can improve your mood and relieve symptoms of depression and anxiety. It’s also a great way to alleviate stress.
Exercise can sometimes be a loaded term, especially for people who don’t love going to the gym. Thankfully, you don’t have to become a bodybuilder to reap the mental health benefits. You’re probably already doing some of the work. These are the reigning champs if you’re looking for the best exercises for mental health.
For more mental health tips, see how you can improve your mood without therapy and how to change your diet to benefit your mental wellness.
Why should you exercise for mental health?
Exercise makes you feel good about yourself. When I say exercise, I don’t only mean hitting the gym and pumping iron. Exercise is anything that gets you moving. You don’t have to leave your house to boost your mental wellness with physical activity.
Benefits of exercise on your mental health:
- Improved body image
- Better mood
- Lower depression and anxiety symptoms
- Reduced symptoms of ADHD
- Higher self-esteem
- Sense of accomplishment
- Increased self-confidence
- Sense of pride